Barack, Michelle Obama endorse Kamala Harris for president in phone call
Barack Obama and Michelle Obama officially have endorsed Kamala Harris for president during a phone call shared early Friday.
In an emotional video released by the vice president’s campaign, Harris can be seen answering the call from the political power couple.
“I can’t have this phone call without saying to my girl Kamala: I am proud of you. This is going to be historic,” Michelle, 60, says in the video.
“Michelle and I couldn’t be prouder to endorse you and do everything we can to get you through this election and into the Oval Office,” Barack, 62, adds.
Harris, 59, ended the call by joking with the Obamas that they were “gonna have some fun with this, too.”
A full transcript of the trio’s call showed the 44th president citing Harris’ “record of inclusion” as one of the reasons he and his wife are proud to endorse her as the Democratic nominee.
“We’re gonna be underdogs, you know, and you are gonna have to continue, as you said, to earn not just the nomination but earn the trust of folks all across this country,” Barack said. “But knowing you as we do, we’re absolutely confident that you’re gonna be able to make it happen.”
“We’ve got to work now. All of us, you know,” Michelle added. “It’s time to stop wringing our hands, it’s time to stop complaining, it’s time for us to rally around you, your candidacy. This is not on you, it’s not just on you and [your husband] Doug [Emhoff], it’s on all of us.”
The Obamas released a separate statement Friday morning agreeing with President Biden that endorsing Harris “was one of the best decisions he’s made.”
“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 concluded. “At a time when the stakes have never been higher, she gives us all reason to hope.”
Biden, 81, announced last Sunday that he would no longer be seeking reelection amid bipartisan outcry to drop out.
Barack shared a statement praising the president’s leadership but didn’t immediately endorse Harris unlike politicos Bill and Hillary Clinton.
As other power players such as Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries voiced their support for the former district attorney, the Obamas remained silent.
