July 26th 2024.
Barack Obama and his wife Michelle have officially announced their endorsement of Kamala Harris in her bid for the White House. The former first couple made the announcement on Friday morning through a video call with Harris, who graciously accepted their support.
This endorsement comes as no surprise, as Harris has been gaining momentum as the likely nominee for the Democratic party after Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the race and endorse his second-in-command against Republican nominee, and former President, Donald Trump.
The significance of this endorsement goes beyond just political support. It also highlights the strong friendship and potentially historic connection between the first Black president and the first woman, first Black woman, and first person of Asian descent to serve as vice president. Harris is now aiming to break these same barriers and make history as the first female president.
During the call, Obama expressed his pride in endorsing Harris and his commitment to do everything in his power to help her win the election and secure a spot in the Oval Office. Michelle Obama also shared her admiration for Harris and the historic nature of her campaign.
Harris, who has been friends with the Obamas since before their time in the White House, thanked them for their support and expressed her excitement to hit the campaign trail with them in the coming months.
The Obamas' endorsement is significant as they are among the last major party figures to formally endorse Harris. This is a reflection of the former president's desire to remain a party elder and operate above the political fray. However, they still hold considerable influence and remain popular among Democratic supporters.
Harris has already secured the public support of a majority of delegates to the Democratic National Convention, which will begin on August 19. The party is expected to hold a virtual nominating vote by August 7, making Harris and her yet-to-be-named running mate the official ticket.
Biden's endorsement of Harris came within an hour of his decision to withdraw from the race, and several other prominent Democrats, including Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, and the Clintons, followed suit in the days after.
The Obamas, however, took a more cautious approach. This was seen as they carefully observed Harris's campaign, her delegate commitments, and her fundraising success, which has already surpassed $120 million.
The former president's initial statement after Biden's announcement did not mention Harris by name, but instead, he expressed confidence in the party's ability to choose an outstanding nominee.
The Obamas have a history of campaigning separately for Democratic candidates, including Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Biden in 2020. They have also made significant contributions to the party, including delivering key speeches at the virtual Democratic convention this year.
Obama's speech was particularly notable as he strongly denounced Trump as a threat to democracy, a sentiment that still resonates with Harris's campaign. With the Obamas' endorsement, Harris's campaign is sure to gain even more momentum as she continues to make history and strive for the presidency.
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