Former President Barack Obama has officially endorsed Kamala Harris for President, marking a pivotal moment in her campaign to unseat the incumbent, Donald Trump, in the upcoming November election. This endorsement, announced on the social media platform X, comes at a crucial juncture and serves as a major boost to Harris’ candidacy.
“Earlier this week, Michelle and I called our friend Kamala Harris. We told her we think she’ll make a fantastic President of the United States, and that she has our full support,” Obama stated. He added, “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’s endorsement adds considerable momentum to Harris’ campaign, which had already garnered substantial support following her last-minute entry into the race. This move came after a tumultuous period for the Democratic Party, marked by concerns over President Joe Biden’s age and performance. Biden, who is 81, decided to bow out of the race after a lackluster debate performance against Trump, which further fueled worries about his mental acuity and persistently low polling numbers.
Harris, who is 59 and currently serving as the country’s first woman Vice President, aims to make history again by becoming the first female President. She has launched a robust campaign, taking direct aim at Trump and his “extremist” Republican allies. In a fiery address to teachers on Thursday, Harris highlighted the stakes of the upcoming election and criticized the Republican Party’s recent actions.
The unexpected surge in Harris’ campaign appears to have taken Trump by surprise. The former President has so far refused to schedule a debate with Harris, claiming it would be “inappropriate” until she is officially declared the Democratic nominee. Steven Cheung, a spokesman for the Trump campaign, suggested that Democrats might still change their minds about their candidate.
In response, Harris challenged Trump’s reluctance, recalling his previous declaration of willingness to debate “any time, any place.” She expressed her readiness for a September 10 debate, stating, “I’m ready. So let’s go.”
Adding to her campaign’s momentum, Harris received her first union endorsement from the American Federation of Teachers. During their convention in Houston, she delivered a passionate speech addressing the challenges faced by educators and the broader community under Trump’s administration.
“While you teach students about democracy and representative government, extremists attack the sacred freedom to vote. While you try to create safe and welcoming places where our children can learn, extremists attack our freedom to live safe from gun violence,” Harris said. Her remarks were met with applause, reflecting the union’s strong support for her candidacy.
Harris’ campaign has also been characterized by increasingly hostile rhetoric from Trump. On Wednesday, he labeled her a “radical left lunatic” and made the false claim that she supports the “execution” of newborn babies. Trump, who is 78 and the oldest presidential nominee in US history, has vowed to withhold federal funds from schools with vaccine mandates, despite such mandates being standard in every public school in America.
As the election approaches, Obama’s endorsement signifies a consolidation of support among top Democratic figures for Harris, potentially setting the stage for a highly contentious and closely watched presidential race. Harris, with her prosecutorial background and current role as Vice President, is poised to leverage this momentum in her quest to make history once again in November.
