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As Obama stays quiet, a Kamala Harris aide emphasizes his preferred quote: “I don’t want to…”

Kamala Harris is swiftly gaining the backing of Democrats as she vies to become the 47th President of the United States. The stakes are significant, not only for her but also for the Democratic Party, which nudged Joe Biden out of the challenging race against Donald Trump. However, the pivotal endorsement Harris is eagerly anticipating is from Barack Obama. While Obama advocated for Biden to withdraw, he has not wholeheartedly backed Harris, making her the top contender in the party’s competition.

The rationale for Former President Barack Obama’s reluctance to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris (AFP)

What is the reason behind Barack Obama’s decision not to endorse Kamala Harris?

The lack of endorsement from Barack Obama for Kamala Harris is a topic of widespread interest. To Republicans, it may seem like a snub, but Obama’s inner circle suggests he prefers a democratic nomination process that doesn’t saddle Harris with the label of being a chosen favorite without broader consensus. A source in a New York Times article mentioned that Obama, seen as a neutral elder statesman above party politics, should not be overanalyzed in this context and has not identified another preferred candidate.

Even in previous elections, Obama refrained from endorsing Biden unless Bernie Sanders was also a contender. Reports suggest his favored quote is, “I don’t want to thumb the scale.” Obama views early endorsements as a potential political misstep that could invite scrutiny, implying that Harris’s nomination might be perceived as a predetermined outcome rather than the result of a thorough and inclusive consensus process conducted under rushed conditions.

Republicans are raising concerns about Kamala Harris’ unexpected entry into the upcoming US elections, which are just a couple of months away. At an election rally, Trump’s running mate JD Vance remarked, “The notion of handpicking the Democratic Party’s nominee in a backroom deal orchestrated by George Soros, Barack Obama, and a few elite Democrats, leading to Joe Biden being set aside, poses a threat to democracy.”

According to the NY Times, someone familiar with Obama’s thinking shared that Obama perceives his role as aiding in swiftly “uniting the party once we have a nominee.”

The reluctance of former President Barack Obama to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris can be linked to a convoluted mix of political history and personal relationships. Reports suggest that President Joe Biden’s lingering disappointment towards Obama for quietly supporting Hillary Clinton during the 2016 campaign significantly influences this stance. Biden, known for his strong pride, still believes he could have defeated Donald J. Trump in 2016 with Obama’s backing, suggesting that Obama’s support for Clinton may have affected the election’s outcome.

As per a former White House official in close contact with Obama, the ex-president is methodical in his decisions and doesn’t sense urgency in endorsing swiftly. This careful strategy highlights Obama’s aim to focus on Biden’s current position and ensure that any endorsement fits into his overarching political plans.

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