Obama's Allies Join Forces to Support Harris' Presidential Bid

Former President Barack Obama is yet to endorse a Democratic nominee for president in the 2024 election, but his allies and former advisers have flocked to Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign.

Former President Barack Obama has yet to endorse a Democratic nominee for president in the 2024 election, but his allies and former advisers have flocked to Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign. This support signals a potential shift in Obama's endorsement strategy, as he has traditionally withheld endorsements until later in the election cycle.

Harris, who endorsed Obama's first presidential run in 2008, has cultivated a close relationship with the former president over the years. She was a contender in the 2020 Democratic primary and received support from individuals close to Obama's circle.

Obama's Allies Join Forces to Support Harris' Presidential Bid

Obama's former attorney general, Eric Holder, will lead the vetting process for Harris' potential running mates. The campaign has also reportedly reached out to longtime Obama adviser David Plouffe for a leadership position. Jennifer O'Malley Dillon, who served as Obama's 2012 deputy campaign manager and Biden's 2024 re-election campaign chair, has been named as Harris' campaign manager.

Ahead of Biden's decision to withdraw from the race, Obama allies played a significant role in calling for his departure. Obama's former chief campaign strategist, David Axelrod, declared that Biden was "not winning this race." Actor George Clooney, a close friend of Obama and Michelle Obama, penned an op-ed urging Biden to drop out.

Obama's Allies Join Forces to Support Harris' Presidential Bid

Another Obama ally, Jon Favreau, echoed these sentiments, citing concerns about Biden's mental acuity. Favreau, along with former Obama advisers Jon Lovett and Tommy Vietor, dedicated an episode of their podcast to criticizing Biden.

These former Obama advisers have since taken to social media to celebrate Harris' run. As momentum builds behind Harris' candidacy, with the DNC anticipated to certify her as the nominee on Aug. 1, Obama's statement on Sunday follows his history of not making quick endorsements.

Obama's Allies Join Forces to Support Harris' Presidential Bid

"I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges," Obama said in his statement. "I expect that every single one of us are prepared to carry that message of hope and progress forward into November and beyond."

While Obama has refrained from directly endorsing Harris, the support of his allies and former advisers is a strong indication of his potential backing. As Harris' campaign gains traction, it will be intriguing to observe how Obama's endorsement unfolds and its impact on the Democratic nomination race.

Obama's Allies Join Forces to Support Harris' Presidential Bid