Former President Barack Obama has not yet endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris for the presidency, even though many Democratic leaders, such as Nancy Pelosi, are supporting her candidacy. Obama is reportedly concerned about Harris's ability to defeat Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in the upcoming November election.Â
A Biden family source told The New York Post that Obama believes Harris is not competent enough to navigate the political challenges ahead, pointing out her controversial tenure as the border czar and her statements about migrants. The source also expressed concerns about Harris's potential performance in televised debates, suggesting she might make significant gaffes on issues like Israel, Palestine, and Ukraine.
President Joe Biden's decision to step down from the presidential race was significantly influenced by his poor performance in the first presidential debate against Trump on June 27 in Atlanta, Georgia. During this debate, Biden struggled to maintain his train of thought and failed to challenge Trump's false statements effectively. This led to discussions, reportedly influenced by Obama, about Biden stepping aside in favor of Harris. However, Biden is still in the race, with a second debate scheduled for September 10.
Despite not publicly endorsing her yet, Obama has been in close contact with Harris, advising her on campaign organization and strategy. According to NBC News, Obama is expected to endorse Harris soon, although the timing remains unclear. Discussions are ongoing about arranging campaign trail appearances for Obama and Harris together, but no dates have been set.
