Former President Barack Obama is set to return to the Democratic National Convention stage in his hometown of Chicago on Tuesday, marking 20 years since his debut that launched him into the national spotlight. In a moment both celebratory and reflective, Obama will address the historic nature of Kamala Harris’s candidacy as the first female of color to lead the ticket, while also honoring his own vice-president and supporter, President Joe Biden.
Obama, now 63, and Harris, 59, have shared a political journey that began during Obama’s early days as an Illinois state senator. Their paths crossed in 2004 at a California fundraiser, leading to Harris’s support for Obama’s presidential campaign and her eventual role as California’s attorney general. Obama returned the favor in 2010 by supporting Harris’s campaign, helping her secure a narrow victory that set the stage for her future political success.
At the 2012 Democratic National Convention, Harris, then California’s attorney general, delivered a powerful speech that highlighted her achievements and praised Obama’s leadership. Despite a controversial remark by Obama in 2013 referring to Harris as “the best looking attorney general,” their friendship endured, with Obama endorsing her for the Senate in 2016. Harris’s subsequent victory made her the second Black female U.S. Senator.
In 2020, during Harris’s presidential bid, Obama chose to stay neutral until the party’s nominee was clear. Although Harris’s campaign did not succeed, she became Joe Biden’s running mate. Obama publicly supported Biden’s choice of Harris and has since remained a trusted advisor.
As Harris campaigns for the 2024 presidential election, Obama and his team have supported her through strategic advice, fundraising, and get-out-the-vote efforts. The bond between Obama and Harris is a testament to their enduring friendship and shared commitment to their political ideals.
Source: BBC NEWS
