Former President Barack Obama endorsed his former Vice President Joe Biden for the 2020 presidential election on Tuesday.
The endorsement came in a video posted by Obama, in which he focused on the country’s coronavirus crisis, and touted ideals like community and leadership, humility and selflessness, which he said Joe Biden espouses.
“If there’s one thing we’ve learned as a country from moments of great crisis, it’s that the spirit of looking out for one another can’t be restricted to our homes, or our workplaces, or our neighborhoods, or our houses of worship; it also has to be reflected in our national government. 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 capitols and mayors’ offices; it belongs in the White House,” Obama said.
“That’s why I’m so proud to endorse Joe Biden for President of the United States,” he added.
“Choosing Joe to be my Vice President was one of the best decisions I ever made, and he became a close friend. I believe Joe has all the qualities we need in a president right now. He’s someone who’s own life has taught him how to persevere, how to bounce back when you’ve been knocked down,” Obama continued.
Obama tweeted Biden’s campaign website and a vow to soon join the campaign trail.
“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 http://JoeBiden.com. And I’ll see you on the campaign trail as soon as I can,” he said in the tweet.
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
On Monday, Biden’s former Democratic candidate opponent, Bernie Sanders, also endorsed Biden. Sanders’ endorsement came less than a week after he dropped out of the race himself.
Several other former Democratic presidential candidates also endorsed Biden after dropping out of the race.
“Joe has the character and the experience to guide us through one of our darkest times and heal us through a long recovery. And I know he’ll surround himself with good people – experts, scientists, military officials who actually know how to run the government and care about doing a good job running the government,” Obama said.
Biden reacted to Obama’s endorsement, tweeting, “Barack — This endorsement means the world to Jill and me. We’re going to build on the progress we made together, and there’s no one I’d rather have standing by my side.”
Barack — This endorsement means the world to Jill and me. We’re going to build on the progress we made together, and there’s no one I’d rather have standing by my side. https://t.co/0mAjPZeYmd
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) April 14, 2020
