Former President Barack Obama worked behind the scenes to prevent Vice President Kamala Harris from becoming the Democratic presidential nominee in 2024 after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race, according to a new book by journalist Jonathan Allen. The account, detailed in FIGHT: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House, alleges that Obama lacked confidence in Harris's ability to win a general election and actively promoted an alternative path forward for the Democratic Party.
"President Obama absolutely did not think that Joe Biden should continue," Allen said during an appearance Tuesday on MSNBC's Morning Joe. "He also didn't want Kamala Harris to be the replacement for Biden." Citing unnamed sources close to the former president, Allen stated, "[Obama] didn't think that she was the best choice for Democrats, and he worked really behind the scenes for a long time to try to have a mini-primary, or an open convention... [He] did not have faith in her ability to win the election."
Allen emphasized that Obama's actions amounted to "really working against her," even as Harris was positioned by Biden as his successor. On the day Biden officially passed the baton, Allen revealed that Obama arranged a phone call with House Democratic Kingmaker Rep. James Clyburn (D., S.C.) for 5:30 p.m.-a move Clyburn reportedly interpreted as an effort to enlist him in opposing Harris. "Clyburn thought to himself, 'This guy is going to try to rope me into the open convention thing,'" Allen said, prompting the congressman to issue a swift public endorsement of Harris before the call.
The book notes that both Barack and Michelle Obama eventually endorsed Harris, though not until five days after Biden exited the race. "We told her we think she'll make a fantastic President of the United States, and that she has our full support," the former president said in a video statement posted to X.
Despite his earlier opposition, Obama later took to the campaign trail to mobilize support for Harris, particularly among Black male voters. During a surprise visit to a Pittsburgh field office in October 2024, he acknowledged the challenge. "My understanding, based on reports I'm getting from campaigns and communities, is that we have not yet seen the same kinds of energy and turnout in all quarters of our neighborhoods and communities as we saw when I was running," he told supporters.
He went on to address the gender dynamics head-on. "And you are thinking about sitting out?" he asked rhetorically. "Part of it makes me think - and I'm speaking to men directly - part of it makes me think that, well, you just aren't feeling the idea of having a woman as president, and you're coming up with other alternatives and other reasons for that."
In a message that struck a personal chord, Obama urged voters to consider the sacrifices made by women in their lives. "Women in our lives have been getting our backs this entire time. When we get in trouble and the system isn't working for us, they're the ones out there marching and protesting," he said. He contrasted Harris and Donald Trump sharply: "On the one hand, you have somebody who grew up like you, knows you, went to college with you, understands the struggles and pain and joy that comes from those experiences. And on the other side, you have someone who has consistently shown disregard, not just for the communities, but for you as a person."
Allen's revelations come amid ongoing questions about the Democratic Party's internal dynamics following Biden's withdrawal. While Harris emerged as the presumptive nominee with broad institutional support, including from Clyburn and former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, Allen's reporting suggests that unity was hard-won behind closed doors.
