President Joe Biden's private reservations about Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign, as shared with former President Barack Obama, are now coming to light in a new book, as reported by Daily Mail. "The Truce: Progressives, Centrists, and the Future of the Democratic Party" by Hunter Walker and Luppe B. Luppen sheds light on the inner workings and doubts within the Democratic Party during a pivotal election.
On the night of the 2016 election, as the results pointed towards a Donald Trump victory, Biden, then watching from his Naval Observatory residence, reportedly expressed his long-held concerns to Obama. "Boss I told you. People just don't like her," Biden allegedly said in a 1:30 a.m. phone call, revealing his skepticism about Clinton's ability to win the presidency.
Biden's apprehensions about Clinton's electability were not isolated musings but part of a broader dialogue within the Democratic Party. The book, set for release on January 23, delves into these internal party dynamics, highlighting Obama's influence in Biden's decision not to run in the 2016 race. "It is fair to say, and I believe it, that Joe Biden has been more politically loyal to Barack Obama than Barack Obama has been politically loyal to Joe Biden," an advisor commented, as per the authors.
The book also touches on the calculated political steps taken within the party. Biden's reluctance to step aside in 2016 was met with clear messages from Obama's political circle, indicating it was not a smart move. "Obama's team had demanded Biden make an immediate decision," the authors wrote. This decision not to run left Biden as a "passenger on an awful ride," witnessing Clinton's defeat.
The revelations in Walker and Luppen's book also extend to the 2020 primaries, outlining Obama's behind-the-scenes role in guiding Biden's rivals out of the race to strengthen Biden's position against Bernie Sanders. "It was exactly the kind of backroom power play that Sanders and progressives might see as corrupt," the authors observed, noting the delicate balance Obama had to maintain in consolidating the Democratic field.
Obama's intervention was not just about directing the course of the primaries but also about unifying the party. "He had multiple conversations with Sen. Sanders and with Sen. Warren, knowing the context of '16," a source told the authors, emphasizing Obama's efforts to ensure unity behind Biden was stronger than it was for Clinton in 2016.
This detailed account of the internal dynamics and decisions within the Democratic Party sheds light on the complex and often unseen forces that shape political campaigns and candidacies. Biden's frank assessment of Clinton's likability and Obama's strategic maneuvers reveal a party grappling with its identity and direction in the face of significant electoral challenges.
As the Democratic Party continues to navigate its path forward, "The Truce" offers a crucial perspective on the interplay of personalities, loyalties, and political calculations that define its course. The insights from Biden and Obama's interactions provide a deeper understanding of the party's past strategies and may offer lessons for its future endeavors.
