Former President Barack Obama and President Biden were overheard having a conversation about Vice President Kamala Harris’ strength. Biden expressed that Harris is not as strong as him, and Obama agreed that it was true. The conversation, decoded by a professional lip-reader, took place at Ethel Kennedy’s funeral in Washington. Despite not mentioning Harris by name, it is clear that the conversation was about her standing going into the upcoming election. Obama suggested that they have time to work on strengthening her position, indicating a possible joint campaign effort.
The lip-reading expert who analyzed the conversation described it as “very supportive” and found no tension between Obama and Biden. The conversation raised concerns among Democratic sources about Harris’ viability as an alternative to Biden. Some suggested that Democrats may have made a mistake by replacing Biden with Harris as the Democratic candidate. Harris initially surged in the polls after taking over as the candidate but has since slipped in critical swing-state polling. Reports show her trailing behind former President Donald Trump in key states.
The decision to replace Biden with Harris as the Democratic candidate was a contentious one, with Biden initially refusing to relinquish the nomination despite pressure mounting from within the party. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi played a significant role in the push to have Biden step aside, citing concerns about his mental acuity. Other prominent figures, such as actor George Clooney, also expressed concerns about Biden’s cognitive fitness. The decision to endorse Harris was ultimately made as a strategy to avoid potentially negative consequences for down-ballot Democrats.
The conversation between Obama and Biden at Ethel Kennedy’s funeral shed some light on the dynamics within the Democratic party leading up to the election. While the accuracy of the lip-reading transcription was questioned by some Democratic sources and former White House officials, it highlighted existing concerns about Harris’ strength as a candidate. Harris was brought in as the Democratic candidate after Biden faced pressure to step aside due to concerns about his cognitive abilities. The conversation suggested a joint effort to strengthen Harris’ position and campaign together in the upcoming election.
The interaction between Obama and Biden also hinted at the strained relationship between the two former presidents and other prominent figures within the Democratic party. Despite their public support for each other, the conversation at the funeral revealed underlying tensions and disagreements about the best path forward for the Democratic party. The decision to replace Biden with Harris as the Democratic candidate was a controversial one that ultimately reflected concerns about Biden’s electability and the need to field a stronger candidate against former President Trump. As the election approached, the shifting dynamics within the party raised questions about the unity and viability of the Democratic ticket.
