A bombshell new book has revealed that former President Barack Obama played a key behind-the-scenes role in trying to prevent Vice President Kamala Harris from becoming the Democratic nominee following President Joe Biden’s abrupt departure from the 2024 presidential race.
According to FIGHT: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House by Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes, Obama didn’t just harbor doubts about Harris—he actively worked to keep her from the top of the ticket.
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“Obama did not think that Joe Biden should continue, according to our sources close to President Obama. And he also didn’t want Kamala Harris to be the replacement for Biden,” Allen revealed during an appearance on Morning Joe.
Behind closed doors, Obama reportedly advocated for an open Democratic convention or a “mini-primary” to select a nominee—anything but a default coronation for Harris. “He didn’t think that she was the best choice for Democrats,” Allen explained. “And he worked really behind the scenes for a long time… He did not have faith in her ability to win the election.”
The book also details a tense moment between Obama and Harris on the day Biden handed her the baton. Far from a warm endorsement, the former president’s call was described as lukewarm at best. According to The New York Post, Obama withheld the full-throated support Harris had been hoping for.
Meanwhile, House Majority Whip James Clyburn, a powerful Democratic figure, was reportedly aware of Obama’s efforts. The book recounts how Clyburn, sensing Obama’s push for an open contest, quickly issued a public endorsement of Harris before their scheduled phone call. “Clyburn thought to himself, this guy is going to try to rope me into the open convention thing,” Allen said.
Eventually, the Obamas did offer their support—but not until five days later, via a carefully staged video call shared on social media. “We told her we think she’ll make a fantastic President of the United States, and that she has our full support,” Obama said in the post.
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Yet even after stepping down, Biden wasn’t ready to let Harris forge her own path. According to the book, he repeatedly reminded her to stay loyal to his record. On the day of her first major debate as the nominee, Biden called her with a pointed reminder: “No daylight, kid.”
The phrase—once used by Biden to tie John McCain to George W. Bush—was now directed at Harris, signaling that even in stepping aside, Biden expected complete alignment. It may explain why Harris has struggled to differentiate herself, famously telling The View she wouldn’t have changed a thing about Biden’s presidency.
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