Former President Barack Obama paid a heartfelt tribute to current President Joe Biden at the Democratic National Convention amid reports that the two have been on rocky terms in recent weeks.
On Tuesday, Aug. 20, Obama, 63, told the crowd in Chicago about his appreciation for Biden, 81, who heeded growing calls to abandon his reelection bid in July. After dropping out, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place on the Democratic White House ticket.
“It’s been 16 years since I had the honor of accepting this party’s nomination for president — and I know that’s hard to believe because I have not aged a bit, but it’s true,” Obama joked early in his remarks. “Looking back, I can say without question that my first big decision as your nominee turned out to be one of my best, and that was asking Joe Biden to serve by my side as vice president.”
“Other than some common Irish blood, Joe and I come from different backgrounds. But we became brothers,” Obama continued. “And as we worked together for eight years, what I came to admire most about Joe wasn’t just his smarts and experience, but his empathy and his decency; his hard-earned resiliency and his unshakable belief that everyone in this country deserves a fair shot.”
Kamala Harris, Joe Biden and Barack Obama in 2022.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty
Obama spent a moment explaining why he believes Biden is the president Americans have needed since 2021, citing the Biden-Harris administration’s COVID-19 response, economic recovery efforts and preservation of democracy.
“I am proud to call him my president, but I am even prouder to call him my friend,” Obama said. “Now, the torch has been passed. Now, it is up to all of us to fight for the America we believe in. Make no mistake it will be a fight. For all the incredible energy we’ve been able to generate over the lsat few weeks, for all the rallies and the memes, this will still be a tight race.”
Barack and Michelle Obama embrace on stage at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
David Paul Morris/getty
Obama’s remarks on Tuesday come weeks after several power players in the Democratic Party pressured Biden to exit the presidential race over concerns about his age and ability to inspire voters.
Amid calls for Biden to drop out, Obama — at that point one of the most vocal supporters of Biden’s campaign — stayed silent on the matter. Multiple outlets have reported that Biden is harboring anger toward Obama for failing to come to his defense.
Friction between the two allegedly goes back years, despite their close relationshipwhile working as partners in the White House from 2009 until 2017.
According to Axios, Obama’s advisers pushed Biden not to run for the presidency in 2016, and Obama publicly backed Hillary Clinton’s candidacy. Feeling like his chance at the White House had already been stripped away once, Biden was reportedly determined to stay in the 2024 presidential race when a pressure campaign first swelled.
Kamala Harris in 2024.
Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty
At the DNC on Tuesday night, Obama also shared his enthusiasm for Harris, Biden’s replacement.
“I am feeling hope, because this convention has always been pretty good to kids with funny names who believe in a country where anything is possible,” he joked, referencing Harris’ often-mispronounced first name. “Because we have a chance to elect someone who has spent her entire life trying to give people the same chances America gave her. Someone who sees you and hears you, and will get up every single day and fight for you.”
He continued: “America is ready for a new chapter. America is ready for a better story. We are ready for a President Kamala Harris. And Kamala Harris is ready for the jump.”
Five days after Harris, 59, was endorsed by Biden for president, Obama shared his own endorsement in a video featuring the presidential candidate and his wife Michelle Obama.
“Michelle and I couldn’t be prouder to endorse you and do everything we can to get you through this election and into the Oval Office,” President Obama said at the time.
Also in the endorsement video, the former first lady said, “I can’t have this phone call without saying to my girl Kamala: I am proud of you. This is going to be historic.”
