Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton swiftly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic presidential nomination following President Joe Biden's unexpected decision to bow out of the 2024 race. This high-profile endorsement came mere hours after Biden announced his withdrawal, significantly bolstering Harris's candidacy as the Democratic Party's frontrunner.
"President Biden has capped his extraordinary career of service with a presidency that has lifted America out of an unprecedented pandemic, created millions of new jobs, rebuilt a battered economy, strengthened our democracy, and restored our standing in the world," the Clintons said in a joint statement. "By any measure, he has advanced our founders' charge to build a more perfect union and his own stated goal of restoring the soul of our nation."
The Clintons' statement continued, emphasizing their commitment to Harris's campaign: "We join millions of Americans in thanking President Biden for all he has accomplished, standing up for America time and again, with his North Star always being what's best for the country. We are honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her."
The former first couple also expressed their deep concerns about a potential second term for Donald Trump, stating, "Nothing has made us more worried for our country than the threat posed by a second Trump term. He has promised to be a dictator on day one, and the recent ruling by his servile Supreme Court will only embolden him to further shred the Constitution. Now is the time to support Kamala Harris and fight with everything we've got to elect her. America's future depends on it."
Biden's announcement to step down came after mounting pressure and weeks of speculation following a disastrous debate performance against Trump. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your president," Biden wrote in a public letter. "While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interests of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term."
Biden's endorsement of Harris was unequivocal. "My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it's been the best decision I've made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats - it's time to come together and beat Trump. Let's do this," he wrote on social media.
Despite Biden and the Clintons' endorsements, former President Barack Obama refrained from immediately backing Harris. Instead, he expressed confidence that the Democratic Party would find an "outstanding nominee" to challenge Trump. "We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead," Obama wrote. "But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges."
Obama's decision to withhold an endorsement has significant implications. As one of the most respected figures in the Democratic Party, his lack of immediate support for Harris could open the field for other potential candidates. This sentiment was echoed by senior Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who also praised Biden without endorsing Harris.
Nancy Pelosi, the former House Speaker, praised Biden's legacy but did not explicitly endorse Harris. "With love and gratitude to President Biden for always believing in the promise of America and giving people the opportunity to reach their fulfillment. God blessed America with Joe Biden's greatness and goodness," Pelosi stated.
The absence of a unified endorsement for Harris highlights the challenges she faces in consolidating party support. Concerns about her low approval ratings and public gaffes persist, making some Democrats wary of her ability to secure a victory against Trump. According to RealClearPolitics, Harris holds a 38.1% favorability rating, trailing behind Biden's 39.1% and Trump's 42.8%.
Despite these challenges, Harris remains committed to earning the nomination. "I am honored to have the president's endorsement, and my intention is to earn and win this nomination," she stated. Harris's campaign will now focus on rallying support from Democratic leaders and delegates ahead of the Democratic National Convention set for August.
