In a significant political development, former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama have officially endorsed Kamala Harris in her bid for the White House. This endorsement, revealed in a video showing Harris accepting a joint phone call from the Obamas, marks a crucial moment as Harris solidifies her position as the Democratic Party's likely nominee following President Joe Biden’s decision not to seek re-election and his endorsement of Harris.

The endorsement not only underscores the close relationship between the Obamas and Harris but also highlights the historic nature of Harris’s candidacy. She is the first woman, the first Black woman, and the first person of Asian descent to serve as Vice President, and she now aims to break these barriers at the presidential level.

"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," said Barack Obama in the video. Michelle Obama added, "I can’t have this phone call without saying to my girl, Kamala, I am proud of you. This is going to be historic."

Harris, who has known the Obamas since Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, expressed her gratitude and excitement for the months leading up to Election Day on November 5. “We’re gonna have some fun with this too, aren’t we?” she said, acknowledging the challenging but exhilarating campaign ahead.

This endorsement is particularly significant as Barack Obama had initially withheld his endorsement following Biden’s withdrawal, possibly favoring an open contest at the upcoming Democratic National Convention. However, with Harris securing support from key Democratic figures such as Bill and Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, and Joe Biden himself, Obama’s endorsement comes as a major boost for her campaign.

Harris’s campaign released the video of the endorsement call, which shows her listening to the Obamas on an iPhone. This public endorsement positions the Obamas as influential figures in Harris’s campaign, drawing on their popularity and fundraising prowess to support her bid.

An Associated Press survey indicates that Harris has already secured the majority of delegates to the Democratic National Convention, set to begin on August 19 in Chicago. The DNC plans to hold a virtual nominating vote, which would officially position Harris and her yet-to-be-announced running mate as the Democratic ticket by August 7.

Following Biden’s endorsement of Harris, prominent Democratic leaders, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and former President Bill Clinton, have also shown their support. This collective backing reflects the party’s confidence in Harris’s ability to challenge the Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, in the upcoming election.