A Significant Moment for the Democratic Party
Former President Barack Obama will deliver the keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, making a major comeback 20 years after his convention debut shot him into the national scene. This seems especially important as he negotiates the tricky chore of supporting Kamala Harris while respecting his vice president, President Joe Biden, the man behind her career climb.
A Historic and Complicated Moment
From his time as an Illinois state senator seeking the U.S. Senate, Obama, now 63, and Harris, 59, have been linked through their political careers. Their connection started in 2004 during a California fundraiser, where the two then-rising political personalities first crossed paths. Early supporter Harris later volunteered for Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, which helped him win initially. Obama and his wife, Michelle, are ready to back Harris’s candidature for the Oval Office.
Obama’s 2008 campaign manager, David Plouffe, now an advisor to Harris, underlined the importance of Obama’s position: “I think he can excite people about her and about the stakes [of the election],” he said. “I think that’s what he intends to do today.”
Key Moments in Their Political Relationship
2007: First Impressions
Obama declared his longshot quest for the White House on the steps of the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois, in February 2007 while a junior senator. Among the crowd of more than 15,000 were Harris, then a San Francisco district attorney. Later, she was essential in Obama’s campaign; she knocked on doors and raised money before the Iowa caucuses in 2008 and finally co-chaired his California campaign.
2010: Support During Harris’s Attorney General Bid
Obama used his national star power when Harris challenged Republican Steve Cooley for California attorney general in 2010. Obama showed up to a Los Angeles event in October 2010 despite personal difficulties, including broad legislative defeats. He urged the crowd to support Harris as a “dear, dear friend.” Harris came close to winning the election, which would have put her on a path toward greater office.
2012: A Prominent Speaking Role
Obama assigned Harris a highly sought-after speech slot during the 2012 Democratic National Convention. She was well-known as the first person of color and woman running for San Francisco’s district attorney and California’s attorney general at the time. Her remarks emphasized her achievements and commended Obama for handling the housing crisis, criticizing his Republican competitor Mitt Romney as a Wall Street friend. She said, “We need to move forward,” a sentiment she has underlined throughout her 2024 campaign.
2013: A Controversial Comment
Obama made news in 2013 when he said, at a San Francisco event, that Harris was “the best-looking attorney general in the country.” “You have to be careful to, first of all, say she is brilliant, dedicated, and tough; she is exactly what you would want in anybody who is administering the law and making sure everyone is getting a fair shake,” he said. Obama promptly apologized to Harris, even if his remark caused debate.
2016: Endorsement for Senate
Obama entered the divisive California Senate election to support Harris, who was seeking to succeed retiring Senator Barbara Boxer, as he approached the conclusion of his administration. “Kamala solely serves one client, the citizens of the State of California; she is a lifetime courtroom prosecutor. Obama said, “That’s the attitude she’ll have in approaching the United States Senate.” Harris became only the second Black female U.S. Senator after her election victory.
2019-2020: Presidential Campaign Dynamics
Starting with a well-publicized kickoff in Oakland, California, before a gathering of 20,000, Harris’s 2020 presidential campaign began. She visited Obama throughout her campaign to review her candidature. Obama, whose own vice president was also a contender, decided to be impartial until the party chose its nominee. Biden provided Harris a political respite as his running mate as his campaign stumbled. Obama backed Biden’s selection of Harris despite their disagreement during a discussion. “Choosing a vice president is the first major choice a president makes,” Obama said. “You need someone with you who has the judgment and the character to make the right call.”
Ongoing Support and Collaboration
Obama has been in constant touch with Harris since 2020, providing support and advice. The Obamas first postponed supporting Harris until she was the party of choice. In a video declaring their support, Obama told her, “We’ve known each other for 20 years. I have seen how outstanding you have been in every post you have taken. We could not be more delighted to see all that hard effort acknowledged.
Campaign Support and Advisory Roles
In recent months, Obama has continued to support Harris’s campaign through policy advice, strategic direction, financial assistance, and get-out-the-job campaigns. To help with her campaign, Harris has also engaged Jennifer O’Malley Dillon, Eric Holder, Stephanie Cutter, and Jennifer Palmieri—among Obama’s former advisers.
As Obama and Harris negotiate the present political terrain, this continuous cooperation emphasizes their close history and mutual support, showing their deep and diverse connection.
