The support from the two most beloved Democrats in the nation remains vital for Harris as she continues to gain traction as the party’s candidate following US President Joe Biden’s choice not to pursue reelection and to back his vice president against the Republican contender, former President Donald Trump.
In a video released on Friday morning, Harris can be seen taking a joint call from the former first couple while walking backstage at an event, escorted by a Secret Service agent.
During the call, the former president told Harris, “We called to say 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.” Michelle Obama expressed her pride in Harris, saying, “I can’t have this phone call without saying to my girl, Kamala, I am proud of you. This is going to be historic.”
Harris, who has known the Obamas since before his election in 2008, expressed gratitude for their friendship and eagerness to hit the campaign trail with them in the three-month sprint to Election Day on November 5. She added, “We’re gonna have some fun with this too, aren’t we?”
The Obamas, who remain powerful fundraising draws and beloved surrogates at major campaign events for Democratic candidates, are among the last major party figures to formally endorse Harris.
Barack Obama’s initial response following Biden’s announcement did not mention Harris. Rather, he spoke in general terms about devising a process to determine a nominee to follow Biden: “I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges,” the former president had stated.
In 2016 and 2020, Obamas campaigned independently for Hillary Clinton and Biden, respectively, including holding sizable rallies on the final weekends before Election Day. They delivered crucial speeches at the Democrats’ convention in 2020, which was held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.