Obama stops short of backing Harris

Former President Obama praised President Biden as a “patriot of the highest order,” following news that Biden would no longer run for reelection, but the former president stopped short of endorsing Vice President Harris as his replacement.

“Joe Biden has been one of America’s most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, we’ve also been reminded — again — that he’s a patriot of the highest order,” Obama wrote Sunday of Biden’s difficult decision.

Obama said he expects the party “will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead,” but expressed confidence in the party’s ability to move forward — without mentioning Harris.

“I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges,” Obama wrote later in the statement. “I believe that Joe Biden’s vision of a generous, prosperous, and united America that provides opportunity for everyone will be on full display at the Democratic Convention in August. And I expect that every single one of us are prepared to carry that message of hope and progress forward into November and beyond.”

“For now, Michelle and I just want to express our love and gratitude to Joe and Jill for leading us so ably and courageously during these perilous times — and for their commitment to the ideals of freedom and equality that this country was founded on,” he added.

Obama — who famously had a close relationship with Biden when they served together in the White House — noted how difficult a decision this must have been for Biden, adding that he was sure Biden was thinking about what’s right for the country.

“I also know Joe has never backed down from a fight,” he wrote. “For him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life. But I know he wouldn’t make this decision unless he believed it was right for America. It’s a testament to Joe Biden’s love of country — and a historic example of a genuine public servant once again putting the interests of the American people ahead of his own that future generations of leaders will do well to follow.”

Obama praised Biden’s record in office — from helping to end the pandemic, to record job creation, to lowering prescription drug costs, to climate investments, to his support for unions. He touted Biden’s leadership on the world stage and his role uniting NATO countries against Russian aggression in Ukraine.

He touted Biden’s character — “his deep empathy and hard-earned resilience; his fundamental decency and belief that everyone counts” — and credited him with steering the country “away from the four years of chaos, falsehood, and division that had characterized Donald Trump’s administration.”

“This outstanding track record gave President Biden every right to run for re-election and finish the job he started,” Obama wrote. “Joe understands better than anyone the stakes in this election — how everything he has fought for throughout his life, and everything that the Democratic Party stands for, will be at risk if we allow Donald Trump back in the White House and give Republicans control of Congress.”

“Through his policies and his example, Joe has reminded us of who we are at our best — a country committed to old-fashioned values like trust and honesty, kindness and hard work; a country that believes in democracy, rule of law, and accountability; a country that insists that everyone, no matter who they are, has a voice and deserves a chance at a better life,” Obama said.