Former US President Barack Obama is reportedly set to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the presumptive Democratic nominee for President, as Trump makes headway over Harris in the latest polls.
A source divulged to CNN that the former President and his team have been in touch with members of Harris’ campaign, adding that Obama and Harris themselves have been in touch regularly.
Obama is reportedly continuing to serve as a “sounding board” for Harris, a role he has embraced in the two decades he has known her, the source revealed. …CONTINUE READING
The news of an expected endorsement was first reported by NBC News, which claimed that four sources “familiar with their discussions” revealed the pair had been in close touch since she announced her run for the presidency, following President Biden abandoning his bid for a second term.
Obama has reportedly fully supported Harris’ candidacy in private and plans to endorse her publicly soon, the NBC sources revealed.
“He has been in regular contact with her and thinks she’s been off to a great start,” one said.
The latest New York Times/Siena Poll of Registered Voters Nationwide puts Trump above Harris by two per cent.
In the July 22- 24 polls, when asked: “If the 2024 presidential election were held today, who would you vote for if the candidates were?” 46 per cent voted for Kamala Harris, 48 per cent voted for Trump and six per cent didn’t know or refused to say.
In a separate poll conducted by Reuters/Ipsos, 56 per cent of registered voters agreed with a statement that Harris was “mentally sharp and able to deal with challenges,” compared to Trump, who received 49 per cent of votes.
A public endorsement from Obama is yet to come, and the former president’s statement following Biden’s revelation that he was dropping out of the race didn’t mention Harris – instead focusing on his respect for the President, who he said is “one of America’s most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me”.
“Sixteen years ago, when I began my search for a vice president, I knew about Joe’s remarkable career in public service. But what I came to admire even more was his character — his deep empathy and hard-earned resilience; his fundamental decency and belief that everyone counts,” Obama said.
“Since taking office, President Biden has displayed that character again and again.”
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