Obama and Michelle Rally Behind Kamala Harris in Crucial Endorsement for 2024 Presidential Bid

Former U.S. President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama declared their support for Vice President Kamala Harris in the race for the White House this Friday, confirming one of the most anticipated endorsements by supporters of the Democratic Party. Obama and Michelle made themselves available to help their ally win.

• Read more: Trump will not participate in a debate with Kamala until the official nomination of the Democrats, says campaign
• U.S. Elections: Poll shows Trump and Kamala in a technical tie; voters approve of the Vice President’s selection as a candidate

Kamala’s campaign released a video today showing the call between Kamala, Obama, and Michelle. The call happened on Wednesday when the Vice President was in Indianapolis to speak at a meeting of one of the country’s oldest black sororities, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.

Barack Obama declares support for Kamala Harris for U.S. president

— We are calling to say that Michelle and I could not be prouder to endorse you and do everything we can to help you win this election and get to the Oval Office — said Obama during the call.

In a separate message on social media, Obama described the call as “a call to a friend” and that he and Michelle said she would “make a fantastic president.” “In this critical moment for our country, we will do everything we can to ensure that she wins in November. We hope you will join us,” he wrote.

Michelle sent a personal message to Kamala. Calling her “my girl,” the former First Lady and successful writer expressed her pride and excitement about the candidacy of the first woman Vice President of the U.S.

— I can’t make this call without telling my girl, Kamala: I am proud of you. This is going to be historic — she said.

In a social media message sharing the video, Michelle added: “Barack and I are so excited to endorse you as the Democratic nominee because of your positivity, sense of humor, and ability to bring light and hope to people across the country. We support you, Kamala.”

Kamala appeared surprised to hear Barack and Michelle Obama speaking together on the same call. She thanked both for their support after hearing the formal endorsement of her candidacy.

— Michelle, Barack, this means so much to me. I look forward to doing this with both of you, Doug [Kamala’s husband] and I, being out there, being on the road. But above all, I just wanted to say that the words you spoke, and the friendship you have shown me over the years, mean more than I can express. Thank you both, it means a lot. And let’s have some fun with this too, right? — she said.

The phone call was interpreted by American analysts as a sort of “symbolic passing of the baton” from Obama, one of the youngest presidents to be elected, to Kamala, who is already a historic figure as the first woman, black, and Asian American to hold the position of Vice President.

The Obamas continue to be two of the most popular figures in Democratic politics, and the gesture of support expressed to Kamala generated enthusiasm among party members who believe that with the endorsement she has a better chance of defeating Republican candidate Donald Trump.

Remember important moments in Michelle Obama’s journey

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The ‘kiss’ of the Obama couple in November 2008 after the victory speech — Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images/AFP

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Above, Obama, Michelle, and the girls, during the ex-president’s visit to Rio in 2011 — Photo: AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB

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Robinson Women: Michelle, in a book photo, with her daughters and mother, Marian — Photo: Disclosure

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Obama and Bo, the family’s beloved dog — Photo: Doug Mills/The New York Times

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Family portrait: Michelle, Sasha, Obama, and Malia — Photo: Disclosure

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The worldwide bestseller ‘My Story’ — Photo: Disclosure

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Michelle and Obama: royal wedding — Photo: Disclosure

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The cover of Michelle’s new book — Photo: Disclosure

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Former First Lady of the U.S. launches new book — Photo: Disclosure

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Michelle Obama uses knitting to cope with anxiety — Photo: Disclosure

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Former First Lady of the U.S. launches new book

Caution in endorsing candidacy

The lack of immediate support for Kamala’s name after Joe Biden’s withdrawal on Sunday raised questions about Obama’s preference for the party’s future. Less than 24 hours after being named by Biden as his natural successor, the Democrat gathered support from historical figures and the current leadership of the party, including former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as well as governors, senators, and representatives. Obama remained silent.

Republicans interpreted Obama’s silence on Kamala as disdain, but people close to the former president downplayed the lack of positioning, justifying that the moment was to honor his White House partner, Joe Biden, and not to interfere in the party’s nomination process — a stance he has held previously.

In 2020, Obama resisted pressure from Biden’s advisors to endorse his former vice president before Senator Bernie Sanders, a primary opponent, withdrew from the race. At that time, Obama said he did not want to “tip the scales.”

A person close to Obama’s thinking stated this week that he saw his role as helping to “quickly unite the party” once there was a nominee.

• Analysis: If Kamala wins, Biden will be remembered as a statesman. If Trump returns, …
• See also: After meeting with Netanyahu, Kamala reiterates support for Israel but states that ‘she will not remain silent’ about the situation in Gaza

Furthermore, regarding Obama’s silence specifically on Sunday, allies assessed it as a gesture from the former president to Joe Biden, a top ally with whom he maintains a supportive but also strained relationship. The attitude, they said, was a way to make the moment of withdrawal about Biden, and not about the party’s pressure for him to step down — a process in which the former president would have participated behind the scenes.

“Joe Biden was one of the most important presidents in the United States, in addition to being a beloved friend and partner to me,” wrote Obama, who chose Biden as his running mate in 2008 because he said at the time that he wanted an older and more experienced vice president, with “gray hair” and limited future presidential ambitions. “We will be navigating unknown waters in the coming days. But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an exceptional candidate will emerge.”

After visiting Indianapolis and Milwaukee earlier this week, Kamala went to Houston, Texas, on Thursday and spoke to a crowd at the convention of the powerful American Federation of Teachers in the city. The Democrat has been a longtime ally of teachers’ unions, even when her positions divided the party’s coalition.

During her speech in Houston, she praised public education:

— As you know, I am a product of public education and I am very proud of it — she stated. — That’s why I’m running to be President of the United States. Teachers are visionaries, shaping the future of the nation.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, virtual presidential candidate, before boarding Air Force One in Milwaukee — Photo: AMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP

Kamala also attacked the Republicans and Project 2025, a 900-page document written by conservative groups and former advisers to Donald Trump to guide the next Republican administration.

— We want to ban assault weapons and they want to ban books — the Vice President asserted, while the teachers responded with shouts of “Let’s go, let’s go.” — I’m sure you’ve seen their agenda. Project 2025.

Kamala also thanked President Joe Biden, who spoke on Wednesday night and argued that ‘defending democracy is more important than any title’:

— Our President Joe Biden spoke to the nation last night and showed once again what leadership is. (…) He understands what is happening now and the impacts it can have on the future — Kamala declared at her fourth event in four days across four states. — Throughout his career, Joe has acted with grace and strength, bold vision, and deep compassion. We are very grateful to him for that.

Read the full conversation:

K.H: Wow… Hi, you both are there! It’s good to hear you!

M.O: I can’t make this call without saying to my girl Kamala: “I am proud of you.” This is going to be historic.

B.O: We are calling to say that Michelle and I could not be prouder to endorse you and do everything we can to help you win the election and get to the Oval Office.

K.H: My God. Michelle, Barack, this means so much to me. I can’t wait to do this with both of you. Doug (Emhoff) and I. Getting out there, being on the road. But most of all, I just want to say that the words you said and the friendship you have shown me throughout the years mean more than I can express. So thank you both. It means a lot! And let’s have some fun with this, shall we? (WITH NYT and Bloomberg)