Former US President Barack Obama has not yet openly said anything in support of Kamala Harris — the probable Democratic presidential nominee after Joe Biden opted out of the race. But according to a New York Times piece by Glenn Thrush, this is not a snub from Obama to Kamala, but a calculated decision — driven by several factors.
‘Obama’s support would have made it easier for Kamala’
Kamala Harris’ nomination — she has already received the endorsement of the maximum Democrats — should not look like a coronation and but as a decision reached through consensus. Obama did the same thing four years ago when Biden’s aides pressured him to endorse early in the Democratic primaries before Senator Bernie Sanders dropped out.
Obama wants to play a role in helping to quickly united the party behind the nominee.
Obama didn’t want to upset Biden
The NYT analysis said that Biden never forgave Obama for backing Hillary Clinton in the 2016 campaign because Biden believe he could have beaten Trump in the election. Biden was also not pleased when Obama discouraged him to contest in the 2020 election. So Obama was cautious to not rush to support Kamala Harris the moment Biden announced his “retirement”.
‘Sunday was all about Biden’
Biden’s announcement on Sunday that he would be sitting out this election was most awaited for the Democrats but it also brought the curtains down on Biden’s long political career. Obama did not want to deflect the attention to Harris and wanted Sunday to be about Biden — a celebration of his accomplishments.
What Obama wrote for Biden
Obama issued a long statement celebrating Biden’s career. “Joe Biden has been one of America’s most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, we’ve also been reminded — again — that he’s a patriot of the highest order,” the statement read.
“Sixteen years ago, when I began my search for a vice president, I knew about Joe’s remarkable career in public service. But what I came to admire even more was his character — his deep empathy and hard-earned resilience; his fundamental decency and belief that everyone counts.”
“…I also know Joe has never backed down from a fight. For him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life. But I know he wouldn’t make this decision unless he believed it was right for America. It’s a testament to Joe Biden’s love of country — and a historic example of a genuine public servant once again putting the interests of the American people ahead of his own that future generations of leaders will do well to follow,” he wrote.
‘Obama’s support would have made it easier for Kamala’
Kamala Harris’ nomination — she has already received the endorsement of the maximum Democrats — should not look like a coronation and but as a decision reached through consensus. Obama did the same thing four years ago when Biden’s aides pressured him to endorse early in the Democratic primaries before Senator Bernie Sanders dropped out.
Obama wants to play a role in helping to quickly united the party behind the nominee.
Obama didn’t want to upset Biden
The NYT analysis said that Biden never forgave Obama for backing Hillary Clinton in the 2016 campaign because Biden believe he could have beaten Trump in the election. Biden was also not pleased when Obama discouraged him to contest in the 2020 election. So Obama was cautious to not rush to support Kamala Harris the moment Biden announced his “retirement”.
‘Sunday was all about Biden’
Biden’s announcement on Sunday that he would be sitting out this election was most awaited for the Democrats but it also brought the curtains down on Biden’s long political career. Obama did not want to deflect the attention to Harris and wanted Sunday to be about Biden — a celebration of his accomplishments.
What Obama wrote for Biden
Obama issued a long statement celebrating Biden’s career. “Joe Biden has been one of America’s most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, we’ve also been reminded — again — that he’s a patriot of the highest order,” the statement read.
“Sixteen years ago, when I began my search for a vice president, I knew about Joe’s remarkable career in public service. But what I came to admire even more was his character — his deep empathy and hard-earned resilience; his fundamental decency and belief that everyone counts.”
“…I also know Joe has never backed down from a fight. For him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life. But I know he wouldn’t make this decision unless he believed it was right for America. It’s a testament to Joe Biden’s love of country — and a historic example of a genuine public servant once again putting the interests of the American people ahead of his own that future generations of leaders will do well to follow,” he wrote.