Former President Barack Obama officially endorsed his former vice president, Joe Biden.
via NPR:
Obama framed his endorsement by talking about the leadership he says is required to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. “The kind of leadership that’s guided by knowledge and experience, honesty and humility, empathy and grace. That kind of leadership doesn’t just belong in our state capitals and mayors’ offices,” Obama said. “It belongs in the White House, and that’s why I’m so proud to endorse Joe Biden for president of the United States.”
“Choosing Joe to be my vice president was one of the best decisions I ever made, and he became a close friend,” Obama added in a video released by the Biden campaign. “And I believe Joe has all the qualities we need in a president right now.”
The former president recalled personal adversity Biden has endured, losing his first wife and two children, as well has Biden’s role in governing through the 2009 economic crisis, the Ebola outbreak, and other crises the Obama administration dealt with.
Obama also commended Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Biden’s last remaining rival who threw his unequivocal support behind the longtime moderate a day earlier.
“Bernie’s an American original, a man who has devoted his life to giving voice to working people’s hopes, dreams and frustrations. He and I haven’t always agreed on everything, but we’ve always shared a conviction that we have to make America a fairer, more just, more equitable society,” Obama said.
“The Democratic Party will have to be bold,” he added, arguing that Biden has the “most progressive platform” of any Democratic nominee, even though many progressives who supported Sanders remain skeptical of Biden.
Watch his endorsement video below.
I’m proud to endorse my friend @JoeBiden for President of the United States. Let's go: https://t.co/maHVGRozkX
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 14, 2020
For all of us who love this country and are willing to do our part to make sure it lives up to its highest ideals – now’s the time to fight for what we believe in. Join us at https://t.co/Kboaxi3MVL. And I’ll see you on the campaign trail as soon as I can.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 14, 2020
