President Joe Biden’s endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee was a calculated move to exact revenge on his party colleagues, particularly former President Barack Obama, according to sources close to the matter.
Biden’s decision to back Harris was reportedly a response to the pressure he faced from Obama, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, who had been urging him to exit the race due to concerns about his cognitive decline.
“It was a deliberate attempt by Biden to stick it to Obama and Pelosi,” a well-placed Democratic source revealed. “He wanted to assert his influence and show that he still had a say in the party’s direction.”
The source claimed that Obama had been pushing for Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly to be the party’s nominee, and had even suggested holding a “mini primary” to determine the best candidate. However, Biden’s endorsement of Harris was seen as a way of undermining Obama’s plans and asserting his own authority.
“Biden’s endorsement was a way of saying, ‘I’m not going down without a fight,'” the source said. “He wants to remain a player in the party and have a say in Harris’ campaign, despite his own cognitive decline.”
The report also suggested that Biden’s decision to endorse Harris was motivated by a desire to maintain leverage and influence within the party. By backing Harris, Biden is able to retain a level of control and ensure that his own advisors and allies are involved in her campaign.
The move has been seen as a surprise by some, given the reported tensions between Biden and Obama. The former president and his wife, Michelle, were among the last Democrats to endorse Harris, and sources suggest that Obama has doubts about her competence.
“Obama knows that Harris is not up to the job,” the source said. “He’s aware of her failures as border czar and her lack of experience, but he’s also aware that she’s the only game in town right now.”