Barack Obama has endorsed Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee for United States president, which means the vice president has won the backing of all the Democratic Party’s leading figures.
Former President Obama and ex-First Lady Michelle Obama said in a joint statement that 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 Harris spoke to after President Joe Biden announced last Sunday he was dropping out of the race.
In a statement at the time, Obama praised Biden’s exit, but stopped short of endorsing Harris.
The 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. They vowed to do “everything we can” to elect her.
According to the couple’s statement, “We agree with President Biden; picking Kamala was one of his best choices.” I can verify this with her resume.
They cited her record as California’s attorney general, a US senator and then vice-president.
“However, Kamala’s CV is not her only asset,” the statement said. “She possesses the courage, vision, and character that are needed at this crucial time.
“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 Ms Harris taking a phone call from the Obamas in which they pledge their support.
Ms Harris has held a number of campaign events across the US in the days since Mr Biden withdrew from the race.
On Thursday, she addressed the American Federation of Teachers union 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, Ms Harris took aim at 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 pivot to assail his new 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 party’s nominee.
He suggested Democrats were “still holding out for someone ‘better'”.
