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After an ‘anxious’ wait, former president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday ahead of the high-stakes presidential elections in the United States.
Harris will be a “fantastic President of the United States”, said Obama. He also vowed to do “everything we can” to enable her to win the elections against Republican candidate Donald Trump.
Harris had launched her presidential campaign hours after President Joe Biden dropped from the race and endorsed her.
Biden faced immense pressure to back off from the presidential race even from within the Democratic Party members after the debate debacle and his deteriorating health took center stage.
While releasing a video in support of Harris, Obama assured she had “our full 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 November. We hope you’ll join us,” Obama said in a post on X.
Michelle, the former first lady, said she was proud of Harris and expects the upcoming election to be historic. “I can’t have this phone call without saying to my girl, Kamala, I am proud of you. This is going to be historic,” she told Harris in a video.
In a joint statement announcing the endorsement, the Obamas praised Harris. “But Kamala has more than a resume. 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,” the statement said.
“At a time when the stakes have never been higher, she gives us all reason to hope,” it added.
Obama had not immediately endorsed Harris even after top Democrats supported her ahead of the campaign trail. Several questions and concerns were raised about the delay from the Obamas to endorse her.
According to the New York Post, Obama has not endorsed Harris as he does not think she can beat Republican candidate Donald Trump. “Obama is very upset because he knows she can’t win,” a Biden family source told The New York Post.
Now with Obama’s support, Harris has received almost all the major Democrats’ support. She has secured endorsements from more than 40 state delegations.
Under new rules adopted by the Democratic National Committee on Wednesday, the nominee will be selected as soon as August 1, and the candidate has until August 7 to select a running mate. The party will meet for its convention in Chicago starting August 19.