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Barack Obama Responds to Kamala Harris's Vice President Nomination

Photo credit: Scott Olson - Getty Images
Photo credit: Scott Olson - Getty Images

From Harper's BAZAAR

  • President Barack Obama has responded to the announcement that Senator Kamala Harris has been selected as Joe Biden's running mate for the 2020 presidential election.

  • The former president praised Harris's leadership abilities and Biden's judgment in selecting her as his potential vice president.


Former president Barack Obama supports Joe Biden's selection of Senator Kamala Harris as his nominee for vice president.

Obama took to social media yesterday following the history-making announcement that Harris is now officially part of the 2020 Democratic Party ticket, praising Harris's work over the years. He also applauded Biden, his own former VP, for choosing Harris for the job.

"Choosing a vice president is the first important decision a president makes," began Obama in his message. "When you're in the Oval Office, weighing the toughest issues, and the choice you make will affect the lives and livelihoods of the entire country—you need someone with you who's got the judgment and the character to make the right call. Someone whose focus goes beyond self-interest to consider the lives and prospects of others."

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Choosing a vice president is the first important decision a president makes. When you’re in the Oval Office, weighing the toughest issues, and the choice you make will affect the lives and livelihoods of the entire country – you need someone with you who’s got the judgment and the character to make the right call. Someone whose focus goes beyond self-interest to consider the lives and prospects of others. @JoeBiden nailed this decision. By choosing Senator @KamalaHarris as America’s next vice president, he’s underscored his own judgment and character. Reality shows us that these attributes are not optional in a president. They’re requirements of the job. And now Joe has an ideal partner to help him tackle the very real challenges America faces right now and in the years ahead. I’ve known Senator Harris for a long time. She is more than prepared for the job. She’s spent her career defending our Constitution and fighting for folks who need a fair shake. Her own life story is one that I and so many others can see ourselves in: a story that says that no matter where you come from, what you look like, how you worship, or who you love, there’s a place for you here. It’s a fundamentally American perspective, one that’s led us out of the hardest times before. And it’s a perspective we can all rally behind right now. Michelle and I couldn’t be more thrilled for Kamala, Doug, Cole, and Ella. This is a good day for our country. Now let’s go win this thing.

A post shared by Barack Obama (@barackobama) on Aug 11, 2020 at 2:34pm PDT

He continued, "@JoeBiden nailed this decision. By choosing Senator @KamalaHarris as America's next vice president, he's underscored his own judgment and character. Reality shows us that these attributes are not optional in a president. They're requirements of the job. And now Joe has an ideal partner to help him tackle the very real challenges America faces right now and in the years ahead."

President Obama went on to confirm his faith in Harris's ability to lead and send warm congratulations from his family to hers. He also alluded to the historical element surrounding Harris's nomination. Per The New York Times, she is the first Black woman and first person of Indian descent to be nominated for national office by a major party. Further, she is only the fourth woman in history to be chosen for a major presidential ticket overall.

"I've known Senator Harris for a long time," Obama shared. "She is more than prepared for the job. She's spent her career defending our Constitution and fighting for folks who need a fair shake. Her own life story is one that I and so many others can see ourselves in: a story that says that no matter where you come from, what you look like, how you worship, or who you love, there's a place for you here. It's a fundamentally American perspective, one that's led us out of the hardest times before. And it's a perspective we can all rally behind right now.

"Michelle and I couldn't be more thrilled for Kamala, Doug, Cole, and Ella. This is a good day for our country. Now let's go win this thing," concluded Obama.

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