Editors at the Washington Examiner ponder the Democrats’ infighting over control of presidential nominee Kamala Harris’ agenda.
Because Democrats closed ranks around Kamala Harris and now project an image of a party united by joy, it’s easily forgotten that their new nominee was not the first choice of those who played key roles in ousting President Joe Biden, including Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and most especially former President Barack Obama.
Their preferred solution after Biden’s incapacity became undeniable was that Harris should be one among several candidates, and probably not the one who emerged victorious. It’s important to remember that until the day Biden actually surrendered, Harris was joked about as his insurance policy against regicide.
But Biden overturned the apple cart by endorsing Harris as his successor within minutes of announcing that he would quit the race. This defiant last act of real power, giving an insurmountable advantage to a candidate Obama did not want, was inevitably followed quickly by many other Democrats. These were not just grandees from the past, such as John Kerry and Hillary Clinton, but significantly far-left Squad members Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), who spoke out on July 21, plus Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Cori Bush (D-MO), and Jamaal Bowman (D-NY). These radicals like Harris because she was the most left-wing senator of all when she was in the upper chamber.
Bigger Democratic guns took somewhat longer to line up behind Harris. Pelosi endorsed Harris on July 22, which allowed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) to add their endorsements to the barrage on July 23.
But Obama waited five days, until July 26, before joining the happy throng. This delay would not have happened if he didn’t have doubts about Harris. He is ruthless in working for Democratic victory and for his own influence over the party, which was why he passed over Biden himself to anoint Clinton as his own successor in 2016.
