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Many of the big names in Democratic politics quickly began lining up behind Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday, but one major presence in the party was conspicuously and purposefully absent: Barack Obama.
The former president has not yet supported Mrs. Harris; in fact, he didn't mention it once in a heartfelt — if elaborately written — tribute to President Biden that was posted on Medium shortly after he decided to bow out on Sunday.
"Joe Biden has been one of America's most important presidents, and a dear friend and partner to me," wrote Mr. Obama, who chose Mr. Biden as his running mate in 2008 because he said at the time that wanted an older, more experienced candidate with "gray hair" and limited future presidential ambitions.
"We will be navigating uncharted waters in the coming days," Mr. Obama wrote in the post. "But I have tremendous confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process that will produce an outstanding candidate."
Republicans interpreted that as an understatement. But people close to Mr. Obama, who has positioned himself as an impartial elder statesman on intraparty machinations, said not to read too much into it — and had no alternative candidates in mind when he made the decision not to. immediately supported Mrs. Harris.
Obama took the same stance four years ago, when Mr. Biden's aides pressured him to first approve the Democratic primary before Sen. Bernie Sanders dropped out. (Mr Obama's favorite catchphrase at the time was "I don't want to raise the bar".) Approval too early now would also be a political mistake - prompting criticism that Ms Harris' nomination, if it came, was a coronation. and not the best possible consensus in hasty circumstances, they said.
Instead, Obama sees his role as helping to "bring the party together quickly once we have a candidate," said a person familiar with his thinking.
But there are other, more personal considerations that exacerbate Mr. Obama's innate care. Biden is a deeply proud man, and he has never fully forgiven Mr. Obama for quietly supporting former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the 2016 campaign, and Mr. Biden still believes he could have beaten former President Donald J. Trump that year. if given the chance. Mr. Biden was not pleased either when Mr. Obama told him he should consider running in 2020, people close to him have said.
Mr. Obama wanted Sunday to be about Mr. Biden, a celebration of his accomplishments — and feels no pressure to act hastily, according to a former White House official who speaks regularly with the former president.
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