Obama endorses Kamala Harris for president in a whirlwind week of party support…see more

Obama, the first Black president, and Harris, who could become the first female president, have been in close touch since she announced her candidacy Sunday, and he has privately been fully supportive, according to four people familiar with their discussions, NBC News has reported.

“He has been in regular contact with her and thinks she’s been off to a great start,” one of them said. Aides to Obama and Harris have discussed their appearing together on the campaign trail at some point, three of the people familiar with the discussions said.

Moments after he announced he was dropping out of the race Sunday, Biden endorsed Harris for president, and Democrats quickly coalesced around her. Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also endorsed Harris in a joint statement Sunday.

While Obama praised Biden’s leadership as president and his life dedicated to public service in a statement released the day he made his announcement, he didn’t endorse Harris then.