Obama Endorses Harris for the Democratic Nomination

Former President Barack Obama endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination on Friday, delivering Ms. Harris perhaps the most important missing piece in what has been a cascade of support from her party’s most influential leaders.

Mr. Obama, who has positioned himself as an impartial party elder and has remained neutral during Democratic primaries since he left office, had held back as endorsements poured in for Ms. Harris from all corners of the party after President Biden’s withdrawal from the race on Sunday.

Ms. Harris’s campaign released a video on Friday of a phone call between Ms. Harris and Mr. Obama and Michelle Obama, the former first lady, that took place on Wednesday while the vice president was in Indianapolis.

“We called to say, Michelle and I couldn’t be prouder to endorse you and do everything we can to get you through this election and into the Oval Office,” Mr. Obama said.

Ms. Harris replied: “Thank you both! It means so much. And, and we’re going to have some fun with this, too, aren’t we?”

The Obamas issued a statement saying they would “do everything we can to elect Kamala Harris the next president of the United States.” They added, “And we hope you’ll join us.”