Obama remains one of the most popular figures in the Democratic Party
Former US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle endorsed Kamala Harris' candidacy for president on Friday in a roughly minute-long video that captured a private phone conversation between the couple and the current vice president.
“We called to say that Michelle and I couldn't be more proud to support you and do everything we can to get you through the election and into the White House,” Obama told Harris.
“I'm proud of you. This is going to be historic,” the former first lady told Harris.
Talking on a cell phone and smiling a few times, Harris expressed her gratitude for the show of support and their long friendship.
“Thank you both. It means so much. And we're going to have some fun with it too,” Harris said.
According to the campaign, the video was the actual conversation and not a reenactment.
Harris' surprise bid to defeat Republican rival Donald Trump is drawing growing support from supporters, donors and politicians, less than a week after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race amid declining poll numbers.
Obama, the first black president of the US, remains one of the most popular figures in the Democratic Party, even after he was last elected more than a decade ago.
Obama has endorsed Biden at major fundraising events that have been among the biggest successes of his campaign.
This endorsement could help energize and sustain the energy and fundraising for Harris' campaign, and it's a sign that he'll likely campaign for Harris once she's officially the presumptive nominee.
Obama initially withheld his endorsement, even after Biden, his former vice president, named her as his heir apparent. Obama reportedly did not want to put his thumb on the scale while the party worked to determine its nominee.
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