Former First Lady Jill Biden’s upcoming memoir sheds new light on the chaotic hours following President Joe Biden’s decision to end his 2024 reelection campaign, including a tense conversation with then-Vice President Kamala Harris that ultimately led to Biden’s immediate endorsement of her candidacy.
Advertisement Jill Biden writes that Joe Biden personally called Harris to inform her of his decision.
According to the memoir, Harris initially expressed surprise “Oh my God, Joe. Are you sure? ” Jill Biden recalls Harris saying.
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Joe Biden reportedly suggested waiting until the following morning before issuing a formal endorsement of Harris as his successor Harris, however, was unwilling to wait.
Advertisement “I want it sooner,” Harris reportedly told the president.
Say, in 20 minutes
“Could you do it soon? Say, in 20 minutes? ” she asked.
Jill Biden writes that she eventually left the room during the exchange.
At that point,” according to the account, she walked away, apparently unable to listen further Ultimately, Biden endorsed Harris approximately 30 minutes after announcing that he was ending his campaign.
The endorsement effectively ended speculation about a contested Democratic nomination battle and helped prevent what many observers had anticipated could become a divisive mini primary ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago
The memoir also revives attention on the long reported tensions between Jill Biden and Harris that date back to the 2020 Democratic presidential primary The relationship was strained after a high-profile debate confrontation in 2019, when Harris criticized Joe Biden over his past positions on federally mandated school busing programs designed to promote racial integration.
The exchange became one of the defining moments of the Democratic primary campaign.
At the time, Harris challenged Biden over his previous opposition to certain federal busing policies, drawing widespread media attention The criticism reportedly infuriated Jill Biden
The criticism reportedly infuriated Jill Biden.
According to previously published accounts, she defended her husband during a conference call with supporters shortly after the debate.
With what he cares about, what he fights for, what he’s committed to, you get up there and call him a racist without basis? ” Jill Biden reportedly said “Go f–k yourself. ”
The episode created lingering resentment that reportedly continued even after Biden secured the Democratic nomination
According to multiple reports at the time, Jill Biden strongly opposed selecting Harris as her husband’s running mate “There are millions of people in the United States,” she reportedly said. “Why do we have to choose the one who attacked Joe?
”
Despite those concerns, Biden ultimately selected Harris as vice president.
The two went on to serve together throughout Biden’s presidency Still, reports of friction between Harris and members of Biden’s inner circle persisted throughout much of the administration
Still, reports of friction between Harris and members of Biden’s inner circle persisted throughout much of the administration.
The new memoir provides one of the most detailed firsthand accounts yet of the final hours of Biden’s presidential campaign and the rapid transition that followed.
The decision to immediately endorse Harris proved consequential Without Biden’s backing, Democrats may have faced a contentious fight over the nomination just weeks before their national convention, The New York Post reported.
Instead, Harris quickly consolidated support from party leaders and delegates following Biden’s withdrawal
Jill Biden’s account suggests that Harris was determined to secure that endorsement as quickly as possible and was unwilling to leave the matter unresolved
