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"We called to say Michelle and I couldn't be prouder to endorse
you and to do everything we can to get you through this election
and into the Oval Office," Obama told Harris.
"I am proud of you. This is going to be historic," the former
first lady told Harris.
Talking into a cell phone and cracking a few smiles, Harris
expressed her gratitude for the endorsement and their long
friendship.
"Thank you both. It means so much. And we're gonna have some fun
with this too," Harris said.
The campaign said the video was the actual call, not a
reenactment.
Harris's surprise bid against Republican rival Donald Trump
continues to gain steam from supporters, donors and politicians
less than a week after President Joe Biden bowed out of the race
amid slumping poll numbers.
Obama, the first U.S Black president, remains one of the most
popular figures in the Democratic party even after more than a
decade has passed since he was last elected.
Obama has lent his support to Biden during big-money
fundraisers, which were among some of the biggest blockbuster
events of his campaign.
The endorsement could help activate and sustain energy and
fundraising for Harris’ campaign and it signals he is likely to
get on the campaign trail for Harris once she is officially the
presumptive nominee.
Obama initially withheld his endorsement even as Biden, his
former vice president, anointed her as his heir apparent. Obama
reportedly did not want to put his thumb on the scale as the
party worked through the process of determining its nominee.
(Reporting by Jarrett Renshaw; Editing by Mary Milliken and
Stephen Coates)
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