Barack Obama has endorsed Kamala Harris' presidential bid
Former President Barack Obama has officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday to be the Democratic Party’s 2024 nominee.
“This week, we got a chance to catch up with a friend who we’ve known for more than 20 years. She’d had a pretty busy couple of days, to say the least. But we couldn’t be more excited for her — or more thrilled to endorse Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for President of the United States,” read a joint statement released by Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama.
“We agree with President Biden — choosing Kamala was one of the best decisions he’s made,” they added, solidifying their support for Harris.
Barack Obama was one of the last high-profile Democrats to endorse Harris, who has already secured enough delegate support to clinch the nomination as long as delegates do not change their minds before the Democratic National Convention’s virtual roll call next month.
In their endorsement, the Obamas praised Harris’ background as a prosecutor, her time in the Senate, and her leadership on reproductive rights and other issues as vice president.
When President Joe Biden announced his exit from the 2024 race on Sunday, he quickly endorsed Harris to take his place.
In a speech from the Oval Office on Wednesday night, Biden stated his belief in “passing the torch to a new generation” and emphasized the need for “fresh” and “younger” voices.
“I made my choice. I’ve made my views known. I’d like to thank our great vice president, Kamala Harris,” Biden said.
“She’s experienced, she’s tough, she’s capable. She’s been an incredible partner to me, and a leader for our country. Now, the choice is up to you, the American people.”
Following Biden’s endorsement, many Democrats across the country quickly rallied behind Harris, and she currently faces no significant opposition for the party’s nomination.
Attention has now shifted to potential candidates for her vice presidential running mate, as she prepares to challenge former President Donald Trump and JD Vance.
Days before Barack Obama’s endorsement, Democratic leaders such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries publicly endorsed Harris, emphasizing that she earned the nomination “from the grassroots up and not the top down.”
Barack Obama appeared to want to allow the nomination process to unfold before officially announcing his support.
In his initial response to Biden’s decision to withdraw, Obama acknowledged that the party would be “navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead.”
“I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges,” Obama stated at the time.
According to a source, Harris spoke with Obama and other leaders within 24 hours of Biden stepping down from the race.
Barack Obama had previously supported Biden’s reelection efforts, attending fundraisers and participating in conversations to bolster Biden’s campaign.
The Democratic Party has been expediting the process to nominate Harris, adopting rules on Wednesday to officially choose their presidential nominee. Voting to nominate Harris is likely to begin on August 1.
The rules include ceremonial votes for president and vice president and a vote on the party platform during the Democratic convention, scheduled to take place in Chicago from August 19 to 22.
The presidential vote will be a roll call, while the vice presidential vote is expected to be a voice vote.
Harris has not yet selected a running mate, but a team of lawyers and advisers are conducting an accelerated vice presidential search, aiming to announce a nominee before August 7.
The endorsement from Barack Obama adds significant weight to Harris’ campaign, uniting the party as they prepare for the 2024 presidential election.
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