In a recent radio interview with 770 WABC’s “The Cats Roundtable,” Kevin McCarthy, the former House Speaker, accused former President Barack Obama of clandestinely directing Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign. These declarations, made on August 11, 2024, have ignited considerable conversations about Obama’s potential sway in Harris’ White House pursuit.
McCarthy, who lost his position as House Speaker in October 2023, highlighted the involvement of several prominent individuals from Obama’s past campaigns within Harris’ team. These include David Plouffe, Obama’s 2008 campaign manager, and Stephanie Cutter, who was deputy campaign manager for Obama’s 2012 re-election bid.
Plouffe, after years in the private sector, has resumed his political career as a senior adviser to Harris. Similarly, Cutter, another individual with ties to the Obama era, has assumed the role of senior adviser for strategy messaging within the Harris campaign. Noteworthy individuals such as Jennifer Palmieri, Obama’s former White House director of communications, and Eric Holder, Obama’s past Attorney General, are also part of the team. Holder played a role in vetting Harris’ choice of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her vice-presidential candidate.
McCarthy raised questions not only about Obama’s alleged covert role but also critiqued Harris’ selection of Walz over Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, framing it as a strategic blunder.
McCarthy didn’t hesitate to scrutinize Harris’s legislative history, particularly her involvement in passing the pandemic-related stimulus bills under President Biden’s administration.
However, McCarthy’s statements about Obama’s purported dominance over Harris’ campaign have not received universal acceptance. A former top adviser to Obama dismissed these allegations, arguing that it’s commonplace for experienced Democratic strategists to work on various campaigns.
McCarthy’s narrative implies a party where individuals from Obama’s tenure hold increasing sway, with Harris seemingly functioning as a conduit for Obama’s continued influence.
This situation has added another layer to the ongoing discourse about the impact of former presidents on the current political field. As the 2024 election nears, the validity of McCarthy’s claims remains to be verified, but they undeniably highlight the deep-rooted partisan divisions.
