Barack Obama Stops Short of Endorsing Kamala Harris

Former President Barack Obama released a statement Sunday following President Joe Biden’s announcement that he will not seek reelection, but Obama stopped short of endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for the top of the ticket.

Obama’s statement read in part:

“We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead. But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges. 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.”

Just after his initial announcement, Biden threw his support behind Harris. In addition, former Democratic President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic Presidential nominee, put their support behind Harris after Biden’s announcement.

In an email Sunday afternoon, a person familiar told Newsweek, “Just like he did in 2020 once Joe Biden earned the nomination, President Obama believes he will be uniquely positioned to help unite the party once we have a nominee, lift-up that candidate, and do everything he can to get that candidate elected in November.”

This is a developing news story and will be updated with more information.