Former Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy recently made a striking claim, suggesting that former President Barack Obama is covertly directing Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign. Speaking on the radio show “The Cats Roundtable” on 770 WABC, McCarthy alleged that key members of Obama’s former team, including David Plouffe, are now significantly involved in Harris’ campaign efforts.
McCarthy pointed out that individuals from Obama’s inner circle have transitioned to playing central roles in Harris’ campaign. He specifically mentioned David Plouffe, who managed Obama’s 2008 campaign and later served as a top White House adviser, as a senior aide now working on Harris’ team.
Reports indicate that Eric Holder, Obama’s former attorney general, was part of the process to vet Harris’ vice-presidential running mate. Harris’ campaign also includes seasoned Democratic strategists like Stephanie Cutter, who was deputy campaign manager for Obama’s 2012 re-election, and Jim Margolis, a key ad-maker for Obama, both now integral to Harris’ campaign strategy. Jennifer Palmieri, a veteran adviser from Obama’s administration and Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign, is reportedly advising Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, while Jennifer O’Malley Dillon, who chaired Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign, is now leading Harris’ 2024 campaign.
Despite these connections, a former adviser to Obama has dismissed the idea that he is directly managing Harris’ campaign, noting that it is common for experienced Democratic strategists to work on multiple campaigns. The adviser added that Obama would only get involved if Harris requested his support.
In the same interview, McCarthy criticized Harris as a “San Francisco liberal” and expressed disapproval of her choice of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, calling it the most liberal ticket in American political history. He warned that their policies could have national repercussions.
McCarthy also questioned why Harris bypassed Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who is Jewish, as her vice-presidential pick, suggesting it could alienate key voter groups in critical states like Pennsylvania and Georgia. He also criticized Harris for her tie-breaking vote in the Senate that helped pass President Biden’s pandemic stimulus bills, blaming her for contributing to the inflation crisis, which he said has left families struggling with rising costs.
