Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama have publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee.
The endorsement ended days of uncertainty about whether the Obamas would support Harris following President Joe Biden's sudden withdrawal from the contest last Sunday.
The Obamas issued a joint statement complimenting Harris' abilities, claiming she possessed the "vision, character, and strength that this critical moment demands." The statement highlighted VP Harris' excellent record as California's attorney general, a United States Senator, and vice president, claiming she was uniquely equipped to lead the country.
Barack Obama was one of more than 100 notable Democrats Harris consulted after Biden's decision. Although he initially supported Biden's decision to withdraw from the race, he did not publicly endorse Harris until now.
With most of the Democratic delegates already supporting her, Harris is on track to be the official nominee at the Democratic National Convention in August. The Obamas expressed their enthusiasm, saying, “We could not be more thrilled to endorse Kamala Harris. We agree with President Biden that choosing Kamala was one of the best decisions he’s made. She has the resume to prove it.”
The endorsement was accompanied by a video of Harris receiving an encouraging phone call from the Obamas. Harris expressed gratitude in the video, saying, "Oh my goodness. Michelle, Barack, this means so much to me.
Since Biden's withdrawal, Harris has increased her campaign efforts, holding various events across the country. On Thursday, she spoke to the American Federation of Teachers union in Houston, which was part of her vice-presidential duties but had the atmosphere of a campaign rally, with loud applause and cheers from the audience.
