Just in: Barack Obama endorses US Vice-President, Kamala Harris on November Presidential race
Mr. Obama, who has positioned himself as an impartial party elder and has remained neutral during Democratic primaries since he left office, had held back as endorsements poured in for Ms. Harris from all corners of the party after President Biden’s withdrawal from the race on Sunday.
Ms. Harris’s campaign released a video on Friday of a phone call between Ms. Harris and Mr. Obama and Michelle Obama, the former first lady, that took place on Wednesday while the vice president was in Indianapolis.
“We called to say, Michelle and I couldn’t be prouder to endorse you and do everything we can to get you through this election and into the Oval Office,” Mr. Obama said.
Ms. Harris replied: “Thank you both! It means so much. And, and we’re going to have some fun with this, too, aren’t we?”
The Obamas issued a statement saying they would “do everything we can to elect Kamala Harris the next president of the United States.” They added, “And we hope you’ll join us.”
The vice president has quickly amassed the support of former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, the party’s 2016 presidential nominee; Democratic leaders; a vast majority of the Democratic caucuses in the House and Senate; and every democratc majority across the country. By Monday night, she had secured pledges from enough Democratic delegates to become the party’s nominee.
Mr. Obama did not mention Ms. Harris this week in a warm tribute to Mr. Biden that he posted on Medium shortly after the president had announced he would leave the race.
“Joe Biden has been one of America’s most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me,” wrote Mr. Obama, who chose Mr. Biden as his running mate in 2008.
Republicans interpreted Mr. Obama’s silence about Ms. Harris on Sunday as a snub. But people close to Mr. Obama downplayed its significance and said he had no alternate candidate in mind. They added that an immediate endorsement by Mr. Obama could have fueled criticism that the abrupt falling-in behind Ms. Harris amounted to a coronation, rather than the best possible consensus under rushed circumstances.
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