Staff Reports
Barack Obama has decided to dip his toes back into the political waters just a week after President Joe Biden exited the presidential race and handed over the reins to Kamala Harris. That’s right, the once-seemingly incumbent president of the Democratic Party is now hurling his support toward the vice president, who not only is leading the charge for a major party ticket as the first Black woman but is also set to be a target-rich environment for her opponents.
Initial polling suggests that Harris is riding a temporary wave, affectionately dubbed a “honeymoon,” as she solidifies her standing against former President Donald Trump. What happened to that sea of Democratic challengers looking to take her on? Apparently, they’re as elusive as a unicorn at a barbecue, leaving Harris with a clear runway toward securing the party’s nomination at the convention in Chicago next month. Former President Obama’s recent shift in focus means he won’t be following the advice of political strategists who hinted at enticing an array of candidates to clash for delegates. Instead, he’s seemingly cemented his allegiance to Harris.
Didnt he almost Didnt he try to destroy our country our countryBREAKING: Obamas Reveal Their Plan For The 2024 Presidential Race https://t.co/rZ079wwDZK
— Roy Barber (@RoyBarber16) July 26, 2024
In a fresh bid to showcase their support, Obama and Michelle have showered Harris with praise. They affectionately claimed she would be a “fantastic” successor to Biden, which is like saying a tree branch can be a fantastic parachute. The former president took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his commitment to ensuring Harris emerges victorious in the upcoming election, attempting to rally the troops. Behind-the-scenes footage of Harris’s call from the Obamas served up the kind of optics that could only be rivaled by a family reunion gone haywire.
Despite the gushing support from the Obamas, the polls reveal a comforting truth for conservatives: Trump maintains a strong lead over Harris, especially in critical swing states that have a knack for deciding elections. This shake-up has thrown a wrench into the GOP’s previously rehearsed lines, which focused on Biden’s flailing economy and his visible decline that had become a popular topic of conversation at both parties’ gatherings. Now, the Republican messaging machinery is faced with the task of creatively tackling Harris’s past as a California prosecutor, her lackluster record on border issues, and her tendency to make unexpected comments about everything from coconut trees to theoretical AI systems.
Harris’s blaring launch into the spotlight hasn’t lacked additional Democratic reinforcement. Key figures such as Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have fallen in line, voicing their support as they close ranks around her candidacy. Meanwhile, the likes of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have given their nods, with the only dissenting voices coming from a handful of lone wolves like Congressmen Dan Golden and Rashida Tlaib of the so-called Squad. Even John Tester, a Democrat facing steep re-election stakes, is treading lightly in his support, which might reflect the reality that Harris remains an unpopular figure among the broader American electorate, challenging the notion that this is a consolidated effort.
One thing is abundantly clear: as Harris gears up for her campaign, the prospect of her facing off against Trump is looking more entertaining than a circus tent on fire. Whether the Democratic coalition can maintain its momentum before the main event in November is a question that keeps conservative strategists awake at night, but for now, the Obamas are throwing their chips in with a candidate who has proven to be a walking gaffe machine. Grab the popcorn; this political season promises to be anything but dull.
