Virendra Pandit
New Delhi: Former President Barack Obama, and his wife Michelle, have endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic presidential nominee, ending days of speculation over whether they would support her.
In a joint statement, the Obamas said they believe Harris has the “vision, the character, and the strength that this critical moment demands.”
Obama was reportedly among more than 100 prominent Democrats Kamala Harris spoke to after President Joe Biden announced last Sunday he was dropping out of the race, and endorsing her.
In a statement at the time, Obama praised Biden’s exit but stopped short of endorsing Harris, amid speculation that his wife Michelle could also run for nomination. Watching Harris getting the requisite support, however, may have frozen their plans to pit the former First Lady for the White House job.
The incumbent US Vice-President has already secured the support of a majority of Democratic delegates, setting her on course to become the official nominee at the party convention in August.
The Obamas said in Friday’s statement that they could not be “more thrilled to endorse” Harris, and vowed to do “everything we can” to elect her.
“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, the media reported on Friday.
“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.
“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 Harris taking a phone call from the Obamas in which they pledged their support.
“Oh, my goodness,” Harris said in the clip. “Michelle, Barack, this means so much to me.”
Harris has held several campaign events across the US in the days since Biden withdrew from the race. On Thursday, she addressed the American Federation of Teachers Unions in Houston.
While the event was billed as part of her Vice-Presidential duties, it had the air of a campaign rally, with loud applause and cheers from the audience.
Echoing language used in campaign events earlier in the week, Harris aimed what she termed “extremist” Republicans and “failed” policies.
“We want to ban assault weapons, and they want to ban books,” she said.
Meanwhile, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump continued to assail his new Democratic 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 Harris until she is officially confirmed as the Democratic Party’s nominee.
He suggested Democrats were “still holding out for someone ‘better.’”
Harris also met the visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and had “frank and constructive” talks with him. She told him it was time for the Israel-Gaza war to end.
She said she made clear her “serious concerns” about casualties in Gaza, telling Netanyahu how Israel defended itself mattered.
Harris also stressed the need for a path to a two-state solution.
The Israeli PM also met President Biden while on a trip to the White House and will meet Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on Friday.