In a political landscape marked by strategic maneuvering and high-stakes decisions, a new book has unveiled a significant rift between two of the Democratic Party's most influential figures.
Former President Barack Obama reportedly expressed his displeasure with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi after she unexpectedly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 presidential race. This revelation comes from Jonathan Karl's forthcoming book, "Retribution," which has been reviewed by the Daily Mail.
According to the Daily Caller, Obama had envisioned a more deliberate process for selecting the Democratic nominee. He was reportedly skeptical of Harris's chances of securing a victory, a sentiment echoed by a senior Biden advisor and former member of the Obama administration.
The President's surprise was compounded by the fact that he and Pelosi had been in regular discussions about the possibility of President Joe Biden withdrawing from the race. Both leaders had concurred that Harris should not be handed the nomination without a contest.
The book details a tense exchange between Obama and Pelosi following her public endorsement of Harris. A confidant of Pelosi relayed Obama's reaction to Karl, describing it as, "What the f*** did you just do?" Pelosi's response, as reported by the Daily Mail, was succinct: "That train has left the station."
This exchange highlights the discord between the two Democratic powerhouses, who had previously agreed to refrain from making any endorsements.
The backdrop to this political drama was Biden's abrupt exit from the presidential race, which followed a debate with President Donald Trump. During the debate, Biden's performance was marred by apparent cognitive lapses, fueling speculation about his mental acuity. On July 21, Biden announced his withdrawal and promptly endorsed Harris, with Pelosi following suit the next day.
Karl's book delves into the aftermath of Pelosi's endorsement, with Obama reportedly seeking clarity on her decision. He questioned why Pelosi had acted so swiftly, given their prior agreement that endorsing Harris as Biden's successor would be ill-advised. While a source close to Obama characterized his reaction as "good-natured ribbing," another source close to Pelosi described him as "genuinely irritated."
The senior Biden advisor further elaborated on Obama's reservations, stating, "Theres only one Black Jesus," underscoring Obama's doubts about Harris's electability. Even Pelosi's husband, Paul, was taken aback by her decision, reportedly asking, "Kamala?" to which Pelosi retorted, "Dont start with me."
Faced with a lack of alternative candidates and mounting support for Harris within the Democratic Party, Pelosi felt compelled to endorse her. As Karl writes, "No other candidates had stepped forward Kamala Harris was it. The only thing Pelosi could do was try to help her win the election."
Obama eventually endorsed Harris four days later, signaling a reluctant acceptance of the political reality.
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