Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama have officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in her bid for the White House. This anticipated but significant endorsement was announced in a video showing Harris accepting a joint phone call from the former first couple, solidifying the support of the nation’s two most popular Democrats.
The endorsement comes as Harris gains momentum as the likely Democratic nominee following President Joe Biden’s decision to end his reelection bid and endorse his second-in-command against Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump. This endorsement also underscores the historic connection between the nation’s first Black president and Harris, who is the first woman, the first Black woman, and the first person of Asian descent to serve as vice president, and is now striving to break those barriers at the presidential level.
“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,” Barack Obama told Harris, who was shown taking the call backstage at an event, accompanied by a Secret Service agent. Michelle Obama added, “I can’t have this phone call without saying to my girl, Kamala, I am proud of you. This is going to be historic.”
Harris, who has known the Obamas since before Barack Obama’s 2008 election, expressed her gratitude for their friendship and support. She mentioned looking forward to campaigning with them in the three-month lead-up to Election Day on November 5. “We’re gonna have some fun with this too, aren’t we?” Harris said.
The Obamas are among the last major party figures to endorse Harris formally, reflecting the former president’s desire to remain a party elder operating above the fray. Nevertheless, they remain influential fundraising draws and popular surrogates at large campaign events for Democratic candidates.
According to an Associated Press survey, Harris has already secured the public support of a majority of the delegates to the Democratic National Convention, which begins on August 19 in Chicago. The Democratic National Committee plans to hold a virtual nominating vote by August 7, officially making Harris and her yet-to-be-named running mate the Democratic ticket.
President Biden endorsed Harris within an hour of announcing his decision to end his campaign, amid concerns about the 81-year-old president’s ability to defeat Trump. Following Biden’s announcement, key Democratic figures including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, former House Minority Whip Jim Clyburn, former President Bill Clinton, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also endorsed Harris.
The Obamas, however, were cautious as Harris secured delegate commitments, engaged with core Democratic constituencies, and raised over $120 million. Barack Obama’s initial statement after Biden’s announcement did not mention Harris by name but expressed confidence in the party’s ability to nominate an outstanding candidate.
Both Obamas campaigned separately for Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Biden in 2020, with large rallies in the final days before Election Day. They also delivered key speeches at the 2020 Democratic National Convention, a virtual event due to the coronavirus pandemic. Barack Obama’s speech was notable for its direct criticism of Trump as a threat to democracy, a theme that continues in Harris’ campaign.
As the 2024 election approaches, the Obamas’ endorsement is expected to provide a significant boost to Harris’ campaign, helping to galvanize Democratic voters and secure her position as the party’s nominee.
