Barack Obama Still Supports Joe Biden's Initial Decision To Run For Re-Election

Barack Obama, who selected Joe Biden as his running mate in 2008 due to Biden's extensive experience in the Senate, particularly in foreign policy, has broken his silence regarding the President's decision to drop out of the current race.

Despite Joe Biden's decision to drop out, former President Barack Obama stands by Biden's initial decision to run before he dropped out.

Obama praised Biden for displaying "character again and again" before listing all his achievements during his presidency.

"He helped end the pandemic, created millions of jobs, lowered the cost of prescription drugs, passed the first major piece of gun safety legislation in 30 years, made the biggest investment to address climate change in history, and fought to ensure the rights of working people to organize for fair wages and benefits," he said in his statement.

"Internationally, he restored America’s standing in the world, revitalized NATO, and mobilized the world to stand up against Russian aggression in Ukraine," Obama added.

In the statement posted on Sunday, the former President said that due to Biden's "outstanding track record," he had "every right to run for re-election and finish the job he started."

"Joe understands better than anyone the stakes in this election — how everything he has fought for throughout his life, and everything that the Democratic Party stands for, will be at risk if we allow Donald Trump back in the White House and give Republicans control of Congress," Obama said. "I also know Joe has never backed down from a fight. For him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life."

"But I know he wouldn’t make this decision unless he believed it was right for America," the 62-year-old continued. "It’s a testament to Joe Biden’s love of country — and a historic example of a genuine public servant once again putting the interests of the American people ahead of his own that future generations of leaders will do well to follow."

Moments after dropping out of the race, Joe Biden announced that his "very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harrisas my Vice President."

In addition to the President, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, CNBC’s Jim Cramer, and several others have endorsed Harris.

“Proud to endorse my former Senate colleague & good friend, Kamala Harris,” Durbin wrote in a post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “VP Harris was a critical partner in building the Biden record over the past four years. Count me in with Kamala Harris for President.”

“The American people deserve a champion who will continue the progress of the Biden-Harris Administration, and that’s why I am proud to voice my full support and my full endorsement to Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic Nominee for President,” Wes Moore said on X.

While Harris's campaign has raised nearly $50M following Joe Biden's announcement, Barack Obama says the Democrats will pick an "outstanding nominee."

"We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead," he said in his lengthy statement on Sunday. "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," he continued. "And I expect that every single one of us are prepared to carry that message of hope and progress forward into November and beyond."

Pelosi, the first woman to hold the country’s third-most-powerful post, notably did not endorse Harris in her initial statement on Biden’s decision — potentially giving cover to dissenters.

“With love and gratitude to President Biden for always believing in the promise of America and giving people the opportunity to reach their fulfillment. God blessed America with Joe Biden’s greatness and goodness,” Pelosi said.

If Kamala Harris does win, she will become the first female president, the second of African ancestry, and the first of South Asian descent.