Many key Democratic figures quickly rallied behind Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday. However, one major figure remained silent: former President Barack Obama.
Known for staying above party politics, Obama did not endorse Harris or even mention her in his warm but carefully worded tribute to President Joe Biden, posted on Medium after Biden decided to step back.
In his post, Obama praised Biden as one of America’s most impactful presidents and a close friend. Reflecting on their partnership since he chose Biden as his running mate in 2008, Obama emphasized Biden’s experience and wisdom.
However, Obama avoided any mention of Harris, focusing instead on expressing confidence that the Democratic Party would select a strong nominee for the next election.
Some Republicans saw this as a deliberate snub. But sources close to Obama suggest otherwise. They claim that Obama, who sees himself as an impartial elder statesman, did not endorse Harris simply because he did not want to influence the nomination process prematurely.
This approach mirrors Obama’s stance during the 2020 primaries when he refrained from endorsing anyone, including Biden, until it was clear who the nominee would be.
Back then, his preferred phrase was, “I don’t want to thumb the scale.” Endorsing Harris too early, Obama’s allies argue, could make her nomination seem like a foregone conclusion rather than the result of a fair and thorough process.
Obama’s current role, as he sees it, is to help unite the party once a nominee is chosen. He aims to ensure that the party remains strong and cohesive going into the next election.
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Personal dynamics also play a role in Obama’s cautious approach. Biden, a proud man, has lingering feelings about Obama’s past support for Hillary Clinton in 2016. Biden believes he could have won against Donald Trump if he had run then.
Additionally, Obama had previously suggested that Biden consider not running in 2020, which reportedly did not sit well with Biden.
Obama wanted his recent tribute to focus solely on celebrating Biden’s achievements and did not feel the need to rush into endorsing Harris. According to a former White House official, Obama is not feeling pressured to act hastily and prefers to take a measured approach to the party’s future.
