Barack and Michelle Obama have endorsed Kamala Harris in her bid to become US president.
The endorsement, announced Friday morning in a video showing Harris accepting a joint phone call from the former first couple, comes as she continues to build momentum as the party’s likely nominee.
President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid and has endorsed his Vice President against Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump.
Barack Obama says: ‘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.’
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 his election in 2008, thanked them for their friendship and said she looks forward to ‘getting there, being on the road’ with them in the three-month blitz before Election Day on Nov. 5.
‘We’re gonna have some fun with this too, aren’t we?’ Harris said.
The Obamas are one of the last major party figures to endorse Harris formally.
According to an Associated Press survey, Harris already has secured the public support of a majority of delegates to the Democratic National Convention.
The Democratic National Committee expects to hold a virtual nominating vote to make Harris and a yet-to-be-named running mate the official Democratic ticket.
Biden endorsed Harris within an hour of announcing his decision last Sunday to end his campaign amid widespread concern about the 81-year-old president’s ability to defeat Trump.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Whip Jim Clyburn, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton followed in the days after.
The Obamas, however, trod carefully as Harris secured the delegate commitments, made the rounds among core Democratic constituencies and raised more than $120 million.
Barack Obama’s initial statement after Biden’s announcement did not mention Harris.
Instead, he spoke generically about coming up with a nominee to succeed Biden: ‘I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges.’
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