Can Democrats just stop embarrassing themselves?
On Friday, Vice President Kamala Harris received a significant boost in her campaign efforts with the endorsement of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama. The announcement was marked by a video posted by Harris’s campaign, showcasing her interacting with the Obamas via phone call. In a scene that seemed carefully staged, Harris was seen holding her iPhone to her ear, although the phone’s display indicated that the conversation was on speaker mode. This gaffe sparked ridicule online with many comparing her to Joe Biden who has constantly humiliated himself as well in front of cameras.
In the video, Harris appeared genuinely surprised as she greeted the former first couple, adding an air of spontaneity that was clearly orchestrated. “Kamala!” Obama’s voice rang out as an aide handed Harris the phone.
“Hello? Hi!” Harris responded with enthusiasm.
“Hey there!” Michelle Obama chimed in.
Harris expressed her delight at hearing from both of them, “Aww, hello, you guys are both together! Oh, it’s so great to hear from you.”
Michelle Obama took a moment to convey her support, saying, “I can’t take this call without telling my girl, Kamala, that I am so proud of you. This will be historic.”
Barack Obama added, “Michelle and I are incredibly proud to endorse you and will do everything we can to support you in this election and help you reach the Oval Office.”
Harris responded with heartfelt gratitude, “Oh my goodness. Michelle, Barack, this means so much to me. I’m excited about this journey with you both—Doug and I are ready to hit the road and make this happen. Your support and friendship over the years have meant more than I can express. Thank you so much. We’re going to make this campaign memorable.”
Michelle Obama later took to Twitter to share her endorsement, praising Harris for her “positivity, sense of humor, and ability to inspire hope across the country.”
This endorsement comes at a pivotal time for Harris as she seeks to solidify her position as the Democratic nominee. Former President Donald Trump has previously criticized Harris as insincere, labeling her a “phony.” The support from the Obamas follows President Joe Biden’s recent withdrawal from his re-election campaign, endorsing Harris as the Democratic candidate for the November 5 election.
The Obamas’ endorsement is also seen as a response to increasing pressure within the Democratic Party for a change in leadership, especially after Biden’s underwhelming debate performance in late June. The call for Biden to step aside gained momentum following a July 10 op-ed by George Clooney, a close ally of Obama, which drew significant attention to the growing dissatisfaction with Biden’s candidacy.
Although the Obamas’ endorsement might appear to solidify Harris’s position, there were earlier indications that some believed she might struggle in the general election. Despite this, the support from such high-profile figures as the Obamas could provide a crucial boost to her campaign efforts.
WATCH:
I’m so proud of my girl, Kamala. Barack and I are so excited to endorse her as the Democratic nominee because of her positivity, sense of humor, and ability to bring light and hope to people all across the country. We’ve got your back, @KamalaHarris! pic.twitter.com/xldcZeDXuS
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) July 26, 2024