WASHINGTON — Former President Barack Obama and Vice President Kamala Harris have maintained close contact since she announced her presidential candidacy on Sunday, engaging in multiple discussions throughout the week as she launches her campaign, according to four individuals familiar with their conversations.
Privately, Obama has expressed full support for Harris’ candidacy and intends to endorse her in the near future, these sources disclosed.
“He has been regularly in touch with her and believes she has had a strong start,” one source commented.
Obama is among the few prominent Democrats who have yet to formally endorse Harris. While other party leaders have publicly backed her, he has chosen to keep his support private until now.
Those familiar with the discussions did not have specific details on the timing of Obama’s endorsement. One source mentioned that Obama wanted to avoid overshadowing President Joe Biden’s recent Oval Office address to the nation on Wednesday evening.
Another individual familiar with the matter indicated that both Obama and Harris are keen for his endorsement to be a significant event in itself, underscoring her campaign’s momentum among Democrats since her entry into the race.
According to three sources familiar with the discussions, aides to Obama and Harris have also been exploring the possibility of arranging joint appearances on the campaign trail, although no dates have been set.
Additionally, two sources familiar with the situation confirmed that Michelle Obama also supports Harris’ candidacy.
“President Obama is looking forward to assisting Democrats at all levels in making their case to voters this autumn,” said Eric Schultz, a senior adviser to Obama. “Our strategy will focus on generating impact, particularly in situations where his voice can make a difference.”
In their recent conversations, Obama has reportedly offered Harris advice on organizing her campaign and other aspects crucial to mounting a successful bid for the presidency, an office he held for two terms.
From Obama’s perspective, Harris has assumed significant responsibilities in a short period, and he sees himself as a valuable resource and sounding board as she navigates a high-stakes campaign with approximately 100 days remaining until Election Day, according to two sources familiar with their discussions.
Obama views his role in the campaign as pivotal in uniting the Democratic Party and advancing its agenda, and he is expected to play a prominent role on the campaign trail this fall.
The only publicly known phone conversation between Obama and Harris occurred on Sunday, when Biden announced the end of his re-election campaign and promptly endorsed Harris.
On Sunday, Obama released a statement praising Biden and supporting a process to select a new Democratic nominee, but he did not endorse Harris.
“We will be charting new territory in the days ahead,” Obama said in the statement. “But I am highly confident that our party’s leaders will establish a process that will produce an outstanding nominee.”
Following Biden’s debate performance on June 27, Obama privately expressed concerns about his former vice president’s ability to defeat former President Donald Trump in November, as reported by NBC News. However, he did not publicly or privately urge Biden to stay in the race, though he defended his debate performance by noting that he understood the challenges of presidential debates.
Obama and Harris have had a longstanding relationship. Harris supported Obama’s 2008 campaign early on and was given a speaking role at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. Obama campaigned for Harris during her run for Attorney General of California and supported her Senate campaign in 2016.
