Former President Barack Obama took the stage at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago on Tuesday, delivering a rousing endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, Fox News reports.
Obama’s speech comes just weeks after reports surfaced of his involvement in the decision for President Joe Biden to withdraw from the presidential race.
Obama praised Biden, calling him “an outstanding president who defended democracy at a moment of great danger,” calling him both “my president” and “my friend.”
Biden’s exit from the race followed a June debate performance against former President Donald Trump, which raised concerns about his mental acuity and age. Though the White House and Biden campaign initially denied he would drop out, Biden ultimately announced his decision in a tweet last month.
Reports indicated that Obama and his allies played a significant role in urging Biden to step aside, paving the way for Harris to become the Democratic nominee. This decision, however, resulted in a noticeable tension between the Obamas and the White House.
In his speech at the DNC, Obama praised Harris as the presidential candidate.
“Kamala Harris won’t be focused on her problems. She’ll be focused on yours. As president, she won’t just cater to her own supporters and punish those who refuse to kiss the ring or bend the knee. She’ll work on behalf of every American. That’s who Kamala is. And in the White House, she will have an outstanding partner in Gov. Tim Walz,” he said.
Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, were absent from the DNC on Tuesday, choosing to hold a rally in Milwaukee instead. Sources close to the situation have suggested it was calculated move to avoid any optics of Harris appearing alongside Obama.
Obama and Harris share a long-standing friendship dating back to the early 2000s. Harris was a vocal supporter of Obama’s first presidential campaign in 2008, snubbing Hillary Clinton to endorse the Illinois senator. Walz also has ties to Obama, who campaigned for him at the start of his political career in 2006.
Harris is set to deliver her acceptance speech at the DNC on Thursday evening, concluding the convention.
