VIDEO: Ex-US President Barack Obama and wife, Michelle endorse Kamala Harris for president
Former President Barack Obama has endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee, ending days of speculation about his support.
Obama and his wife, former First Lady Michelle Obama, stated in a joint statement that they believe Ms. Harris has the “vision, character, and strength that this crucial moment requires.”
Reportedly, Mr. Obama was among more than 100 prominent Democrats Ms. Harris consulted after President Joe Biden announced last Sunday that he was dropping out of the race.
While Mr. Obama praised Mr. Biden’s decision to exit the race in a previous statement, he had not initially endorsed Ms. Harris.
The US vice-president has already secured the support of a majority of Democratic delegates, positioning her to become the official nominee at the party convention in August.
In Friday’s statement, the Obamas expressed their excitement to endorse Ms. Harris and pledged to do “everything we can” to support her election.
“We agree with President Biden,” said the couple’s statement, “choosing Kamala was one of the best decisions he’s made. She has the resume to prove it.”
They cited her record as California’s attorney general, a US senator and then vice-president.
“But Kamala has more than a resume,” the statement continued. “She has the vision, the character, and the strength that this critical moment demands.
“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.
“At a time when the stakes have never been higher, she gives us all reason to hope.”
The statement was accompanied by a video of Ms Harris taking a phone call from the Obamas in which they pledge their support.
Earlier this week, Michelle and I called our friend @KamalaHarris. 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… pic.twitter.com/0UIS0doIbA
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 26, 2024
“Oh my goodness,” says the vice-president in the clip. “Michelle, Barack, this means so much to me.”
Ms. Harris has held several campaign events across the US since Mr. Biden withdrew from the race.
On Thursday, she addressed the American Federation of Teachers union in Houston.
Although the event was officially part of her vice-presidential duties, it had the atmosphere of a campaign rally, with loud applause and cheers from the audience.
Echoing the language used in her earlier campaign events this week, Ms. Harris criticized “extremist” Republicans and their “failed” policies.
“We want to ban assault weapons, and they want to ban books,” she said.
Meanwhile, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump continued to pivot to assail his new rival.
“Lyin’ Kamala Harris is a radical left Marxist, and worse!” he said in a partially all-capital-letters post on his social media platform Truth Social.
Trump also refused to commit to a televised debate with Ms Harris until she is officially confirmed as the party’s nominee.
He suggested that Democrats were “still waiting for someone ‘better'”.
Ms. Harris has also had “frank and constructive” discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to bring an end to the Israel-Gaza war.
Israel initiated a campaign in Gaza to eliminate Hamas in response to an attack on southern Israel last October, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people and the capture of 251 hostages.
According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, more than 39,000 people have been killed in Gaza since then.
Kamala Harris expressed her “serious concerns” about the casualties in Gaza to Mr. Netanyahu, emphasizing that the manner in which Israel defends itself is important.
She also highlighted the need for progress toward a two-state solution.
The Israeli prime minister also met with President Biden during his visit to the White House and is scheduled to meet with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on Friday.