In the book “Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House,” authors Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes reveal that former President Barack Obama distanced himself from the Democratic Party following his departure from the White House. Obama was never a loyalist of the party and instead relied on a group of “Black professionals” for his campaigns. The book suggests that Obama’s creation of Organizing for Action in 2012 fractured the Democratic Party, competing with it for power and money. The authors claim that Obama left the party weaker than he found it, as one Black party operative described, “Obama destroyed that s—.”
After Obama’s departure, the Clintons, Joe Biden, Donna Brazile, and other party operatives worked to rebuild the party infrastructure by preventing far-left Democrats from seizing control and ensuring that party loyalists ran the show. They installed party loyalists at the national and state committees to keep progressive outsiders at bay. The book recounts how the Clintons were instrumental in this maneuvering, with one Black Biden ally crediting Bill and Hillary Clinton for their efforts. The book also delves into Obama’s reluctance to endorse Kamala Harris in the 2024 election due to concerns about his mental fitness, eventually endorsing her five days after Biden announced he would not run again.
The tension between Obama and Harris was apparent, with Harris feeling frustrated by the delay in Obama’s endorsement and the need for some “mending” between the two Democrats. Despite this, Michelle Obama appeared at the Democratic National Convention in August 2024 after Harris secured the party’s nomination, praising her as one of the most qualified candidates ever to seek the presidency. Democrat strategists predict that Obama’s influence over the party is waning, suggesting that he may be out of touch with the appeal of former President Donald Trump.
The book also explores how Trump secured a second term in the White House and the fallout of his victory for the Democratic Party. Based on interviews with over 150 political insiders, “Fight” sheds light on the inner workings of the Democratic Party and the challenges it faces in the wake of Trump’s presidency. As Obama’s influence over the party wanes, some commentators suggest that he does not fully understand the reasons behind Trump’s election and that the American public should perhaps stop listening to the former president. Despite these critiques, Obama’s rhetorical skills and political communication talents are highlighted in the book, showcasing his ability to convey complex ideas in a digestible and appealing way.
