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WiredJul 18
Obama Endorses Kamala Harris
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Above: April 5, 2022: Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Barack Obama attend an event to mark the 2010 passage of the Affordable Care Act in the East Room of the White House. Image copyright: Chip Somodevilla/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Barack Obama endorsed current Vice Pres. Kamala Harris for the Democratic presidential nominee on Friday, with the former US president and his wife, Michelle Obama, telling her they would "do everything" to help her win.
The Obamas praised Harris for what they described as her career achievements, including her time in California as a prosecutor, attorney general, and US senator, as well as her time as Pres. Joe Biden's vice president.
The Spin
Democratic narrative
Between their phone call and social media posts, it's clear that the Obamas not only support Harris but believe she will win this election. The delayed endorsement was simply a strategic move to allow the democratic process to unfold and give Biden the opportunity, as the nation's leader, to offer his endorsement first. Regardless, the Obamas have now backed the vice president, and that's all that matters.
Republican narrative
Obama only endorsed Harris after the gigantic Democratic Party machine propped her up, leaving him with no other choice. What his delayed endorsement actually shows is that he instinctually knows she can't win. While Obama will now have to play along, deep down he knows her failed record on defunding the police, opening the southern border, and promoting the Green New Deal are policies Americans oppose.
