Washington (Agencies): Former US President Barack Obama, one of the most prominent Democratic Party luminaries, and his wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, have officially given Vice President Kamala Harris their endorsement for the presidency.
Obama, 62, who had at least one publicly known call with Ms. Harris on Sunday, lavished praise on her, saying she has the “vision, the character, and the strength that this critical moment demands.”
“Earlier this week, Michelle and I called our friend @KamalaHarris,” the former president of the United States, wrote on X Friday.
“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.”
Top Democrats including Bill and Hillary Clinton, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries all gave her their official stamp of approval as well.
Michelle Obama told Ms. Harris, “I am proud of you. This is going to be historic.”
In the video, Ms. Harris told them, “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.”
In a separate statement sent in a campaign email, the Obamas said they agreed with President Biden that selecting Harris as his running mate was “one of the best decisions he’s made.”
“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,” their statement read. “At a time when the stakes have never been higher, she gives us all reason to hope.”
Kamala Harris and Obama have been in regular contact since Biden announced his decision to drop out, according to a report, noting they have known each other for 20 years.
Ms. Harris has also won the backing of Democratic governors who are considered rising stars in the party and were viewed as possible contenders to seek the party’s nomination in the event of Biden’s withdrawal, such as Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, California Governor Gavin Newsom and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.
No other Democrat has announced their candidacy for the presidential nod. Ms. Harris has secured endorsements from more than 40 state delegations, surpassing the number of delegates she will need to win the nomination. If that support holds, Democrats will officially nominate her for president during a virtual roll call vote early next month.
Under new rules adopted by the Democratic National Committee on Wednesday, the nominee will be selected as soon as Aug. 1, and the candidate, likely Ms. Harris, has until Aug. 7 to select a running mate. The party will meet for its convention in Chicago starting Aug. 19.
Ms. Harris launched her presidential campaign hours after Biden announced in a letter to the American people that he would be forgoing his bid for a second term. The decision came after the president faced weeks of mounting pressure to step aside following his startling debate performance against Trump last month, which raised concerns about his fitness for a second term and ability to defeat Donald Trump, his Republican opponent, in November.
In an Oval Office address Wednesday, his first since revealing he would not seek reelection, Biden acknowledged it was time to “pass the torch” to a new generation of leaders.
“I believe my record as president, my leadership in the world, my vision for America’s future, all merited a second term,” he said. “But nothing — nothing — can come in the way of saving our democracy.
That includes personal ambition.”
The president hailed Ms. Harris as “experienced,” “tough” and “capable.”
Ms. Harris, who was a senator from California before her election as vice president, quickly hit the campaign trail with events in Wisconsin, Indiana and Texas. Her campaign said it raked in more than $100 million between Sunday afternoon, when she officially joined the White House race, and Monday evening.
