Former US President Barack Obama announced on Friday that he would endorse the candidacy of Vice President Kamala Harris in the November presidential election, adding to the momentum the Democratic nominee has gained in an otherwise chaotic campaign.
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Obama backs Kamala Harris as ‘amazing president’
“Earlier this week, Michelle and I called our friend Kamala Harris. We told her that she would make a wonderful President of the United States and that she has our full support,” said Mr. Obama said.
“At this critical moment for our country, we are going to do everything we can to ensure that he wins in November. We hope you will join us,” he added on social networking site X after days of silence.
Former president Joe Biden, one of the last Democratic nominees to speak out, pledged his support for Kamala Harris on Sunday.
The outgoing president, 81, finally gave up after weeks of calls to quit the race amid concerns about his physical and mental health.
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Support from Paris
Endorsed by former President Obama (2009-2017) Mr.me Harris, 59, has drawn support from unions, ethnic minorities and his own party since announcing his candidacy.
This latest endorsement, “Michelle, Barack, this is very important to me,” the former California senator said during a phone call with Obama, according to a video released by his campaign. “We’re all going to have fun with this, aren’t we?” she adds.
Since launching her campaign earlier in the week, Democrats seem to have found a new dynamism: Kamala Harris’ rallies are benefiting from enthusiasm unmatched by Joe Biden’s, with fundraising records breaking and volunteers pouring in on the ground.
On Friday morning, since the support for the Paris Olympics, American track and field legend Allyson Felix, M.me Harris in November “will be monumental.”
Polls confirm a surge in popularity for the Democratic camp.
“Kamala Liar”
Kamala Harris said she was open to a debate with Donald Trump in support of her camp on Thursday, but the Republican presidential nominee deemed it “inappropriate” to arrange a face-to-face meeting before her. The official nomination by the Democratic Party is expected in early August, two weeks before the Chicago convention.
“Trump agreed to a debate on September 10th. Now it looks like he’s backing out,” said the vice president, the first black woman and person of Asian descent to become vice president.
He agreed with former Republican President Joe Biden to debate twice ahead of the November presidential election, on June 27 and September 10. But the Democratic nominee’s disastrous performance during this first televised fight ultimately led to his ouster.
The Republican campaign, which until Sunday focused on opposition to Joe Biden’s age, his gaffes and his record, was upended by the arrival of Kamala Harris.
The difference with Biden
On Wednesday, the billionaire Republican attacked her during a meeting, accusing her of being in favor of “hanging babies” in an anti-abortion diatribe. The former president was officially sworn in last week at the Republican National Convention after surviving an assassination attempt, earning him a nickname: “Kamala the Liar.”
At a campaign event in Texas Thursday morning, Kamala Harris outlined the campaign arguments she’s been making since Sunday — education, abortion rights, accessible health care, etc. — and stepped up attacks against his opponent and his program, who are considered “extremists.”
Hours later, during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he marked his differences with Joe Biden.
Donald Trump will host the Israeli leader at his Florida home on Friday.
