Further boost for Harris: Obama supports her presidential campaign
Obama shared on platform X that this week they had called "our friend Kamala Harris." They told her that they believe she will be a fantastic President of the United States and that they have her full support. Obama added: "In this critical moment, we will do everything to make sure she wins in November."
The Obamas were among the last heavyweights of the Democratic Party to publicly endorse Harris, whose endorsement had been pending. On Sunday, after weeks of debate about his mental fitness following his disastrous TV debate performance with Trump, President Joe Biden, 81, announced his withdrawal from the race - and linked his endorsement of Harris as the new presidential candidate.
After Biden's endorsement, several prominent Democrats came out in support of Harris, including former President Bill Clinton and his wife, the former Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Obama's endorsement statement carries particular significance because he was the first African-American US President, and Harris could be the first woman and Black person at the helm of the country.
Obama's written endorsement was accompanied by a roughly one-minute video showing them on the phone with Harris. Michelle Obama says: "I can't make this call without telling my girl Kamala: I'm proud of you. This will be historic."
Then Barack Obama says: "Michelle and I couldn't be prouder to support you and do everything we can to help bring you through this election and into the White House." Harris responds with the words: "Oh my God, Michelle and Barack, that means so much to me. I'm excited to do this with you both."
Harris' nomination as the presidential candidate seems to be gaining momentum. She is currently the only contender, and the party has set a deadline for filings until this coming Saturday.
The vote on the candidate is planned to take place already at the beginning of August and significantly before the Democratic Party convention from August 19-22 in Chicago. A planned electronic vote - if Harris remains the only candidate, it will begin on the coming Thursday.
There has already been a back-and-forth between Harris and Trump over her first TV debate. It is still unclear whether there will be a debate with Harris instead of the previously scheduled second debate between Trump and Biden on September 10.
It would be "inappropriate" to arrange a debate with Harris at this time, as the Democrats have not yet formally nominated their presidential candidate, Trump's campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung declared. The Democrats "could still change their minds," he added. However, Biden was not yet officially nominated, and Trump had debated him on June 27.
Harris commented on X, saying Trump had agreed to a debate on September 10, but now seemed to be backing down. "I'm ready. Let's go!" she wrote. She also joked: "What happened to 'anytime, anywhere'?". With this, Harris quoted a formulation from Trump, with which he had reacted to Biden's call for a TV debate at the time.
In her appearances, the Vice President is aligning herself more and more with the showdown with Trump over the White House. In a speech before the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) in Houston, Texas, she warned of a "frontal attack" from Trump's Republicans on "hard-won, hard-fought" civil liberties of the citizens. The AFT was the first union to express its support for Harris' presidential campaign.
- During a recent appearance on platform X, former US-President Barack Obama expressed his support for Kamala Harris, noting that she will make an excellent President of the United States.
- Obama's endorsement of Harris came after a period of deliberation, as he was one of the last heavyweights of the Democratic Party to publicly back her presidential candidacy.
- Biden, who announced his withdrawal from the race on Sunday, subsequently endorsed Harris as the new presidential candidate and praised her abilities.
- Former President Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary Clinton, also voiced their support for Harris following Biden's endorsement.
- Michelle Obama joined in, expressing her pride for Harris and pledging their full support in helping her secure her place in the White House.
- The momentum for Harris' nomination as the presidential candidate is strong, with her being the only contender at present and the Democratic Party setting a deadline for filings this coming Saturday.
- If Harris remains the sole candidate, the electronic vote to confirm her as the Democratic Party's presidential nominee will take place on the following Thursday.
- Despite Trump's campaign spokesperson declaring it inappropriate to arrange a debate with Harris at this time due to the Democrats not yet formally nominating their candidate, Harris has expressed her readiness for a debate with Trump on September 10.
