New book details Obama’s strained relationship with Democratic party
Former President Barack Obama has been accused of distancing himself from the Democratic Party after leaving it in disarray following his departure from the White House, according to a new book titled “Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House” published by William Morrow and Company. The book alleges that Obama was never a loyalist to the Democratic Party, unlike former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former President Joe Biden. Instead, the authors claim that Obama focused on appealing to a group of “Black professionals” for his campaigns.
One of the key points of contention raised in the book is Obama’s creation of Organizing for Action, a nonprofit organization that launched in 2012 after Obama’s re-election to promote his legislative priorities. The book suggests that this move fractured the Democratic Party, as Organizing for Action competed with the party for power and resources. According to the book, Obama left the Democratic Party weaker than he found it, with one Black party operative quoted as saying, “Obama destroyed that s—.”
In the wake of Obama’s departure from the White House in 2016, the book details how the Clintons, along with Biden, former DNC Chair Donna Brazile, and other party operatives, worked to rebuild the party infrastructure. Their goal was to prevent far-left Democrats from taking control of the party and ensure that party loyalists remained in leadership positions. The book credits the Clintons for installing party loyalists at national and state committees to maintain control and keep progressive outsiders at bay.
The book also sheds light on Obama’s hesitancy to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election to succeed Biden. According to the book, Obama had doubts about Harris’s ability to defeat then-President Donald Trump in the election, leading to a delayed endorsement that reportedly offended Harris. It took five days after Biden announced he would not run for office again in 2024 for Obama to officially endorse Harris, requiring some “mending” between the two Democrats.
Despite these tensions, Michelle Obama, the former first lady, appeared at the Democratic National Convention in August 2024 after Harris secured the party’s nomination. She praised Harris as “one of the most qualified people ever to seek the office of the presidency” and emphasized her dignity and readiness for the role.
As Obama’s influence over the Democratic Party is perceived to be waning, some political commentators have suggested that he is out of touch with the appeal of Trump. In an op-ed following a speech by Obama at the Obama Democracy Forum, commentator Ben Burgess criticized the former president for not understanding why Trump won the 2024 election and suggested that the public should stop listening to him.
The book “Fight” delves into Trump’s victory in securing a second term and the implications it had for the Democratic Party. Based on interviews with over 150 political insiders, the book offers insights into the fallout of Trump’s win and the challenges faced by the Democratic Party in the aftermath.
In conclusion, the book “Fight” provides a detailed account of the internal struggles within the Democratic Party and the role played by key figures like Obama, the Clintons, and Biden in shaping the party’s direction. As the party navigates the post-Trump era, the book offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing Democrats as they seek to rebuild and redefine their political identity.
