Vice President Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign got a boost on July 26 as former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama announced their endorsement of her bid for the White House.
The endorsement came in the form of a video shared by Ms. Harris, in which she accepts a joint phone call from the Obamas, as she seeks to build momentum as the Democratic Party’s likely nominee after President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the campaign.
“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,” the former president told Ms. Harris, who is shown taking the call while backstage at an event.
Ms. Harris thanked the Obamas for their endorsement and their long-standing friendship.
“Oh my goodness. Michelle, Barack, this means so much to me. I’m looking forward to doing this with the two of you, Doug and I both. And getting out there, being on the road,” the vice president said.
“But most of all, I just want to tell you the words you have spoken and the friendship that you have given over all these years mean more than I can express, so thank you both. It means so much. And we’re going to have some fun with this, too, aren’t we?”
The Obamas are the latest key figures in the Democratic Party to unite behind the vice president in her bid to become commander-in-chief.
“At this critical moment for our country, we’re going to do everything we can to make sure she wins in November,” he wrote.
While the endorsement is not unexpected, it follows former President Obama’s initial expression of support for a selection process at the party’s convention next month, which did not mention the vice president.
“I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges,” President Obama said in a statement.
“I believe that Joe Biden’s vision of a generous, prosperous, and united America that provides opportunity for everyone will be on full display at the Democratic Convention in August.”
His statement was issued in response to President Biden’s announcement that he was ending his campaign and endorsing the vice president.
“We are honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her,” the Clintons wrote.
Other Democratic Party leaders have been quick to endorse the vice president, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).
President Biden announced he was withdrawing from the 2024 race for the White House on July 21 and held an Oval Office address on July 24 explaining why he was dropping out.
“It’s been the honor of my life to serve as your president, but in the defense of democracy, which is at stake, I think it’s more important than any title,” President Biden said in the televised address.
“I draw strength and I find joy in working for the American people, but this sacred task of perfecting our union is not about me. It’s about you, your families, your futures. It’s about we, the people.
“So I’ve decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation.
“That’s the best way to unite our nation. You know, there is a time and a place for long years of experience in public life. There’s also a time and a place for new voices, fresh voices, yes, younger voices. And that time and place is now.”
The president also laid out his plans for his final six months in office, highlighting key goals such as boosting economic growth, lowering inflation, tightening gun control, and safeguarding the planet from what he described as a “climate crisis.”
