In FIGHT: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House, we learn that former President Barack Obama took quiet steps to block Vice President Kamala Harris from becoming the automatic nominee after President Joe Biden pulled out of the race. Instead of offering an immediate endorsement, Obama pushed for a real contest—a smaller-scale primary election or contested convention—to truly test each candidate. When Biden left after a widely panned debate performance, the Democratic leadership was thrown into disarray. Given his lasting influence, Obama worried that skipping a proper primary would allow an inexperienced candidate to rise too quickly into the spotlight. This concern was underscored on the day Biden exited. Obama arranged a critical phone call with South Carolina Congressman James (Jim) Clyburn. Clyburn later recalled feeling uneasy during the conversation as it became clear that Obama was favoring a more inclusive contest over a swift commitment to Harris. Several insiders close to Obama confirmed his opposition to both Biden’s continued campaign and a smooth succession for Harris. He demanded a competitive primary process, clearly expressing his doubts about Harris’s nationwide popularity from the start. Even with these reservations, both Barack and Michelle Obama eventually backed Harris. However, their endorsements came five days after Biden’s exit—a delay that caught many insiders off guard and highlighted internal party divisions. A striking moment came on the eve of a major debate when Biden issued a blunt command to Harris—'Toe the line completely, kid'—a clear instruction to remain loyal to his policies. Later, when Harris admitted on a daytime talk show that she couldn’t imagine straying from Biden’s approach, it raised serious questions about her ability to offer original ideas. These internal power plays not only fueled the nomination battle but also set the stage for a dramatic 2024 election. In a contest marked by deep national divides, Republican Donald Trump clinched the win with 312 electoral votes against Harris’s 226, narrowly leading the popular vote 49.8 percent to 48.3 percent. FIGHT: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House doesn’t just document the ambition, power plays, and miscalculations within the Democratic Party—it forces us to consider how internal strife can reshape the journey to the White House.
Former President Barack Obama reportedly secretly worked to prevent Vice President Kamala Harris from becoming the automatic frontrunner after President Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 race.
Instead of offering an immediate endorsement, Obama promoted an informal candidate review or broader participation in the convention, citing serious concerns about Harris's chances of winning.
A crucial moment occurred during a pivotal phone call with Congressman James (Jim) Clyburn, who felt that Obama was set on widening the contest rather than backing Harris outright.
Both Barack and Michelle Obama eventually endorsed Harris—but only five days after Biden’s exit, a delay that surprised and worried many within the political establishment.
The book recounts how, on the eve of a major debate, Biden warned Harris with a blunt, "Don't contradict my legacy, kid," to keep her aligned with his views.
Amid these internal power plays, the 2024 election saw Republican Donald Trump secure victory with 312 electoral votes to Harris’s 226, narrowly winning the popular vote 49.8 percent to 48.3 percent.