The big reason why Obama hasn’t endorsed Kamala Harris yet

US Vice-President Kamala Harris is the frontrunner to be the Democratic presidential candidate but former President Barack Obama hasn’t backed her yet. Obama refraining from endorsing Harris is in stark contrast to other Democratic leaders, including Nancy Pelosi, backing Harris as the presidential nominee. Obama believes Harris cannot defeat Donald Trump in the November election.

“Obama’s very upset because he knows she can’t win,” a Biden family source told The New York Post. “Obama knows she’s just incompetent — the border czar who never visited the border, saying that all migrants should have health insurance. She cannot navigate the landmines that are ahead of her.”

The source also expressed doubts about Harris’ ability to perform well in a televised debate.

“Wait until the debate… She can’t debate. She’s going to put her foot in her mouth about Israel, Palestine, Ukraine. She’s going to say something really stupid,” a source told The Post.

BIDEN’S DECISION TO STEP DOWN FROM PRESIDENTIAL RACE

The turning point for Biden’s decision to step down was his poor performance in the first presidential debate against Trump, which took place on June 27 in Atlanta, Georgia.

During the debate, Biden often lost his train of thought, gave confusing answers, and didn’t challenge former President Donald Trump’s false statements.

According to the source, Obama had hoped to get Biden out of the way, and an article written by George Clooney in the New York Times asking him to step aside was part of that plan.

However, Obama was “shocked” when Biden endorsed Harris right away, reported The Post.

“Obama being surprised by a smart political decision actually makes sense when coupled with his personal inability to see politics beyond his singular, immediate interests. Obama always thinks he is the smartest and coolest guy in the room. He’s friends with George Clooney, after all,” another Democrat source noted.

Rod Blagojevich, the former governor of Illinois, believes “Obama was instrumental” in getting Biden out of the race.

However, Biden is still in the race, with a second debate scheduled for September 10, until the Democratic presidential nominee is officially announced. The Democratic National Convention is set for August 19.

“It [Biden’s departure from the race] couldn’t have happened without him [Obama]. Without Obama, Biden is still the Democratic nominee. Obama was the conductor leading the orchestra that convinced Biden to step aside,” Blagojevich was quoted as saying by The Post.

POTENTIAL ENDORSEMENT AND FUTURE PLANS OF OBAMA

Despite these claims, Obama has been in close touch with Harris, providing her with advice on organising her campaign and various elements of launching a successful presidential bid.

NBC News has reported that the 44th US President, Barack Obama, is expected to endorse Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris soon, though the timing remains unclear.

The report stated that Obama has privately supported Harris’ candidacy and has been in regular contact with her.

“Aides to Obama and Harris have also discussed arranging for the two of them to appear together on the campaign trail, though no date has been set,” three people familiar with the discussions were quoted as saying by NBC News.