The palace intrigue in Democratic Party politics didn’t end with President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from his re-election race.
According to a New York Post report Friday, Biden’s quick endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place wasn’t simply to assure the nation that she is the best candidate for the job:
It was actually a sign of defiance to the Democrat’s biggest power broker — and a deeper rift at the party’s highest levels.
Citing unidentified sources, the Post reported that former President Barack Obama, who appeared to have reservations about Harris’ candidacy, had told Biden to let his replacement be chosen at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month.
But Biden opted to do otherwise — as part of his revenge for being replaced in the first place, according to the Post.
“It was Joe’s big f–k you,” said one source, identified only as “close to the family,” according to the Post. “Joe said, ‘If I’m out, then I am endorsing her.’”
Another source, identified only as a Democratic Party insider, told the Post that Obama, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had favored a “mini primary” for the party to choose a new candidate.
Obama wanted Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, a former astronaut and husband to former Rep. Gabby Giffords, to be the party’s nominee, the Post reported.
Biden’s decision to endorse Harris was “Joe truly knifing Obama and Pelosi in the back for making him stand down,” a source told the Post.