Back in 2020, shortly after Joe Biden announced Kamala Harris as his pick for the vice-presidential nomination, the Biden/Harris campaign posted a short video on its social media channels. It took the format of a folksy, light-hearted video chat between Harris and former president Barack Obama.
The former president, looking relaxed in an open-necked shirt and dark suit, tells her the work can be gruelling and asks if she has any tips to get through the day. Harris replies that she works out every morning, regardless of how much sleep she’s had. He asks what music she listens to; she says Mary J Blige. She then asks about his relationship with Biden; what does she need to know about the man who worked for him as vice-president from 2009 to 2017?
Obama says Biden likes ice cream, pasta with red sauce, and that he loves his aviator sunglasses. “He knows he looks good in them,” he adds, signing off with a jovial “Make sure you get those workouts in, get enough sleep and stay healthy.” The former California senator from Oakland and now America’s first female vice-president had the endorsement of one of the most popular public figures in America.
After that November’s election, when Biden and Harris emerged victorious, former first lady Michelle Obama tweeted her congratulations: “I’m beyond thrilled that my friend Joe Biden and our first Black and Indian-American woman vicepresident, Kamala Harris, are headed to restore some dignity, competence, and heart at the White House. Our country sorely needs it.”
Fast-forward to today, and with Biden now out of the race and a raft of endorsements from high-profile politicians in her party for Harris to replace him as the Democratic nominee for president, one name is conspicuous by its absence: Barack Obama. It’s an omission so glaring that it’s generated headlines across the world. The question is: why hasn’t that endorsement by such an imposing presence in the Democratic Party come?
Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin July 24, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin July 24, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Why 8 hours is a myth and other athletes' sleep secrets
Performance coach Greg Meehan tells Alex Pattle how he keeps clients, including boxers and footballers, in top shape
Women like me won't stand for this treatment any more
When I woke up to MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace blaming midlife, middle-class women and their lack of a sense of humour for his troubles, I confess to swearing at my phone.
The BBC's Wallace problem goes beyond MasterChef
Is the fate of a television cookery presenter more important than Syrian insurgents seizing Aleppo and the turmoil on the streets in Georgia? The BBC thinks so, based on its news judgements in recent days, which have seen exhaustive coverage of the accusations against Gregg Wallace take precedence over matters of life and death around the world.
Edwards knew that he was beaten but he never gave up
Former world flyweight champion told cornerman, 'I don't want to be here' after two rounds of his loss to Galal Yafai
Proud Welshman who drew every drop from his talent
Terry Griffiths was the first qualifier to lift the world crown
Former world champion Terry Griffiths dies, aged 77
Tributes have been paid to former world snooker champion Terry Griffiths, who died on Sunday at the age of 77 after a long battle with dementia.
Transformed Gravenberch embodies Slot's Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp had a habit of sounding prophetic. Or he had the capacity, whether through coaching and tactical prowess or force of personality, to make some of what he said come true.
Soaring house prices heap pressure on fixer Rayner
Sorry to make a soggy start to the week even more miserable, but it brings bad news for homebuyers. The housing market has taken a shot of adrenaline and performed a season’s best in the high jump.
Vape maker bags Typhoo Tea in deal worth £10m
Typhoo Tea has been bought by vapes and batteries maker Supreme after falling into administration.
Why talks on treaty against plastic pollution collapsed
A week of tense negotiations to draft a legally binding treaty combating global plastic pollution ended in failure on Sunday night in Busan, South Korea, marking only the latest setback for global environmental diplomacy after disappointing outcomes at Cop29 and the Cop16 biodiversity summit.
