After days of speculation, former US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama have endorsed US Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee. In a tweet, Barack Obama said that he and his wife think that their “friend” Harris would make a “fantastic President of the United States”.
“Earlier this week, Michelle and I called our friend Kamala Harris. 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,” Barack Obama tweeted with a clip capturing a phone call between the US Vice President and the Obamas.
The 55-second clip shows Kamala Harris, 59, heading towards her motorcade while backstage of an event, and answering a phone call – on speaker. She smiles from ear to ear, realising that both Barack and Michelle Obama are on the call.
“Oh, it’s good to hear you both,” the US Vice President is heard in the clip.
“I can’t have this phone call without saying to my girl Kamala: I am proud of you,” Michelle Obama says, adding that the campaign is going to be “historic”.
Then, Barack Obama is heard saying that he and his wife couldn’t be prouder to endorse Kamala Harris, and “do everything we can to get you through this election and into the Oval Office”.
The 59-year-old Vice President shared the same clip on her X account as well. “It means so much to have your endorsements, Michelle Obama and Barack Obama. Let’s get to work,” she tweeted.
The endorsements come after days of speculation that Harris, who was pitched for the White House top after US President Joe Biden dropped out of the race last week, may not have the full support of the Obamas.
The delay in endorsement, which was in stark contrast with other Democratic leaders, including former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, backing Harris – led to the speculation. Furthermore, a Biden family source told The New York Post that Barack Obama is “very upset” because he knows “incompetent” Kamala Harris cannot win.
According to the source, Barack Obama had hoped to get Joe Biden out of the way, and an article written by Hollywood actor George Clooney in the New York Times asking him to drop out of the White House race was part of that plan.
However, Obama – who served as the 44th US President – was ‘shocked’ when Joe Biden endorsed Kamala Harris right away, reported The New York Post.
Despite the claims, NBC News reported that Barack Obama has been in close contact with the US Vice President, offering her advice on organising her campaign and other elements of launching a successful presidential bid.
The Obamas are expected to hit the campaign trail later this summer to help excite Democratic voters, even as the party readies for its upcoming convention in Chicago in August – its first in-person convention since 2016.
Vikram Sharma is a globe-trotting journalist with a global perspective on international events. His articles offer readers a global perspective on international events, exploring complex geopolitical issues and providing insights into the world’s most pressing challenges.
