David Axelrod, an adviser to former President Barack Obama, has warned supporters of Kamala Harris that she should not be named to replace President Biden in the 2024 presidential election, warning that Harris needs to prove to voters that she is capable of winning the nomination.
“The singular focus for a lot of party leaders is going to be who can beat Donald Trump and how, and that will likely be Kamala Harris,” Axelrod said Sunday. “I think some of her supporters have done her a disservice by saying she's here, she's historic, she can't be ignored…”
“What they should really be making is why she is the front-runner. There are some compelling arguments that she would be the front-runner, but she may be even stronger if she is selected through an open process. I noticed even in her own statement she said she wants to compete and win the nomination. If people come to that conclusion, good for her,” he added.
Axelrod made the comments on “CNN Newsroom” when asked why former President Obama, in his statement responding to the news that Biden was dropping out of the campaign, did not endorse Harris for the Democratic nomination.
Biden endorsed Harris shortly after she announced she was dropping out of the race. Harris confirmed her candidacy for the Democratic nomination in a statement, writing, “I am honored to receive the President's endorsement. My intention is to seek and win the nomination.”
Harris has been endorsed by former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as well as several Democratic lawmakers, but many have issued statements about Biden's decision without mentioning or endorsing Harris.
“We will be navigating uncharted territory, but I have extraordinary confidence that the leadership of our party can create a process that will produce high-quality candidates,” Obama said in a statement.