Significant political development, former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama have officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential candidate for the upcoming election. This endorsement follows President Joe Biden’s recent announcement to step down and support Harris as his successor.
A Heartfelt Endorsement
The announcement came via a touching video released early Friday, capturing the moment the Obamas personally called Harris to convey their endorsement. In the video, Barack Obama begins the call with an enthusiastic greeting, while Michelle Obama expresses her pride and excitement for Harris, emphasizing the historic significance of her candidacy.
“I can’t have this phone call without saying to my girl Kamala: I am proud of you. This is going to be historic,” Michelle Obama said. Barack Obama echoed his wife’s sentiments, stating, “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.”
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Harris’s Emotional Response
Visibly moved, Harris responded with gratitude and enthusiasm. “Oh my goodness. Michelle, Barack, this means so much to me. I am looking forward to doing this with the two of you, Doug and I both. And getting out there, being on the road. But most of all, I just wanna tell you that 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, and we’re gonna have some fun with this too, aren’t we?”
Social Media Amplification
Following the call, Barack Obama took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to further solidify his endorsement. He wrote: “Earlier this week, Michelle and I called our friend @KamalaHarris. We told her we think she’ll make a fantastic President of the United States, and that she has our full support. At this critical moment for our country, we’re going to do everything we can to make sure she wins in November. We hope you’ll join us.”
Harris shared the video on her own X account, rallying her supporters with a simple yet powerful message: “Let’s get to work.”
Strategic Timing
The endorsement comes at a pivotal time, just days after Biden’s formal announcement of his decision to step down and endorse Harris for the Democratic nomination. This transition marks a significant moment in the Democratic campaign, with Harris already receiving widespread support from key figures within the party. However, the Obamas’ endorsement is expected to have a particularly profound impact, given Barack Obama’s enduring influence and popularity among Democratic voters.
Sources close to the former president told NBC News that the delay in Obama’s endorsement was strategic, aimed at not overshadowing Biden’s important Oval Office address about his decision to step down. Senior advisor Eric Schultz highlighted this strategic timing, stating that Obama “looked forward to helping Democrats up and down the ballot make the case to voters this fall,” and emphasizing the importance of Obama’s influence where it can be most impactful.
A Unifying Force
Obama’s endorsement is seen as a unifying force within the Democratic Party, expected to bolster Harris’s campaign as she navigates the crucial final 100 days leading up to Election Day. With the former president and first lady’s support, Harris’s campaign gains a significant boost in both visibility and credibility, reinforcing the Democratic bid to retain control of the White House.
