In a recent radio interview, ex-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy suggested that former President Barack Obama is quietly directing Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign. McCarthy voiced these allegations on August 11, 2024, during 770 WABC’s “The Cats Roundtable,” sparking widespread discussion about Obama’s potential involvement in Harris’ White House bid.
McCarthy, deposed as House Speaker in October 2023, highlighted the fact that several notable figures from Obama’s past campaigns are currently part of Harris’ team. He singled out David Plouffe, Obama’s 2008 campaign manager, and Stephanie Cutter, who assumed the role of deputy campaign manager for Obama’s 2012 re-election.
Among the recruits for Harris’ team, Plouffe has been appointed as a senior adviser. This role signifies his re-entry into politics following a period in the private sector. Stephanie Cutter, another veteran from the Obama years, has joined Harris’ team as a senior adviser for strategy messaging. Other individuals of note include Jennifer Palmieri, former White House director of communications under Obama, and Eric Holder, Obama’s ex-Attorney General, who played a part in vetting Tim Walz, the Governor of Minnesota, as Harris’ running mate.
Aside from hinting at Obama’s covert role, McCarthy also expressed criticism of Harris’ choice of running mate. He referred to her picking Walz over Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as a strategic error.
McCarthy was equally critical of Harris’ legislative history, focusing particularly on her involvement in the passage of President Biden’s pandemic stimulus bills.
Despite McCarthy’s claims, not everyone is convinced that Obama is covertly controlling Harris’ campaign. A former top adviser to Obama refuted these allegations, arguing that it’s commonplace for seasoned Democratic strategists to work on various campaigns.
The narrative put forth by McCarthy paints a picture of the Democratic party being increasingly dominated by individuals from Obama’s tenure, with Harris seemingly playing the role of a figurehead for Obama’s continuing influence.
This has intensified the ongoing discussion about the role of former presidents in current political affairs. While the veracity of McCarthy’s allegations remains uncertain, they undeniably underscore the deep-rooted partisan conflicts as the 2024 election looms.