(Photo: REUTERS/Jim Young/File Photo)
A new book by veteran Washington journalist Charlie Spiering has sparked discussions in political circles by claiming that former President Barack Obama played a pivotal role in persuading President Joe Biden to select Kamala Harris as his vice presidential candidate in 2020, despite Biden's reservations about her suitability for the role.
According to "Amateur Hour: Kamala Harris in the White House," Biden initially had reservations about Harris, thinking "she was not up to the job." The book suggests that Biden preferred Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer as his running mate. However, under Obama's influence and public pressure, Biden ultimately chose Harris. This decision, as portrayed in the book, was not just a political strategy but also a response to the evolving social climate following George Floyd's death in May 2020.
The selection of Harris, the only black woman in the U.S. Senate at the time, gained momentum amid the protests and riots that followed Floyd's tragic death. Her selection was seen as a strategic move to resonate with the public's demand for greater representation and diversity in leadership.
Spiering's book also touches on the internal dynamics within the Biden administration, highlighting Harris's alleged struggles in office. Her tenure as vice president is described as fraught with challenges, including issues with White House staff and a perceived lack of team spirit within the administration. These struggles reportedly were top of mind for Biden as he considered his re-election campaign.
The narrative further reveals that Dr. Jill Biden, the President's wife, was not in favor of Harris as the VP pick either. She reportedly preferred former Obama national security adviser Susan Rice for the role. The tension between Harris and the Bidens is traced back to the first Democratic primary debate in 2020, where Harris famously criticized Biden's past positions on busing.
Spiering's portrayal of Harris in his book paints a picture of a vice president struggling to find her footing in the White House. He cites a "steady drip of resignations" from Harris's staff and describes her as a "hilarious, incompetent, trailblazing radical" with a limited authority and a "motherf-er" curse word habit.
The book also delves into the complex relationship between Biden and Harris, suggesting a lack of cohesion and mutual respect. Spiering writes that Harris "barely suppressed her impatience and disdain for the president," while Biden was conscious of Harris's political shortcomings.
The timing of the book's release is significant, coming as the Biden-Harris ticket heads into the 2024 presidential election, with Trump holding a slight lead over Biden in national polls. The revelations in "Amateur Hour" raise questions about the future of this political partnership and its impact on the upcoming election.
Spiering's account offers a behind-the-scenes look at the decision-making process in one of the most consequential vice-presidential selections in recent history. It sheds light on the internal dynamics and pressures that shape such decisions, revealing the complexities of political strategy, personal relationships, and public expectations in the highest echelons of American politics.
