By: ATN News
New York: In a significant show of support, former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris's presidential bid on Friday. This endorsement is the most notable indication yet of Harris's swift consolidation of the Democratic Party.
The Obamas' endorsement came at the conclusion of Harris's first week as the expected Democratic nominee following President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the race against his GOP rival, former President Donald Trump.
In a campaign video, Harris is seen speaking with the Obamas by phone while she was in Indianapolis for an event on Wednesday. Barack Obama expressed his and Michelle's pride in endorsing Harris and pledged their full support to help her win the election and secure a place in the Oval Office. Michelle Obama added, “This is going to be historic,” alluding to the potential of Harris becoming the nation's first woman president.
The Obamas' statement highlighted their two-decade-long acquaintance with Harris and her accomplishments in California as a prosecutor, attorney general, U.S. senator, and Biden's vice president. "She has the vision, the character, and the strength that this critical moment demands. There is no doubt in our mind that Kamala Harris has exactly what it takes to win this election and deliver for the American people," the statement read. This message will be circulated to supporters via email.
Barack Obama was the last major Democratic figure to endorse Harris. His close associates noted that he wanted to see the party unified and the nomination process settled before offering his endorsement.
Harris’s rapid ascent, unchallenged so far, and the widespread endorsements from Democratic officials, advocacy groups, and labor unions, made Obama's public support a certainty.
Obama, who remains a highly influential figure within the Democratic Party, has been a key fundraiser and effective campaign surrogate. His endorsement precedes next month's Democratic National Convention in his hometown of Chicago, where he is slated to address the delegates.
Historically, Obama ramps up his political activities post-Labor Day, headlining rallies and events in pivotal battleground states—a strategy he is expected to continue this election year.
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