In Video Message, Barack Obama Endorses Joe Biden for President The Day After Bernie Sanders Did the Same

The former president apparently wanted to avoid charges of bias that plagued the 2016 campaign of Hillary Clinton. People such as Tucker Carlson on Fox TV could say that Hillary was promoted as the successor to Obama, over the objections of Bernie Sanders' supporters.

This time around, Obama did not support his former VP until after Sanders himself had endorsed Biden for US President. Obama remains quite popular with Democrats, and his late endorsement will be important in turning out voters for an election where Covid-19 will encourage them to stay home.

"The kind of leadership that's guided by knowledge and experience, honesty and humility, empathy and grace. That kind of leadership doesn't just belong in our state capitals and mayors' offices," Obama said. "It belongs in the White House, and that's why I'm so proud to endorse Joe Biden for president of the United States."

"Choosing Joe to be my vice president was one of the best decisions I ever made, and he became a close friend," Obama added in a video released by the Biden campaign. "And I believe Joe has all the qualities we need in a president right now."

The former president recalled personal adversity Biden has endured, losing his first wife and two children, as well has Biden's role in governing through the 2009 economic crisis, the Ebola outbreak, and other crises the Obama administration dealt with.

Obama also commended Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Biden's last remaining rival who threw his unequivocal support behind the longtime moderate a day earlier.

"Bernie's an American original, a man who has devoted his life to giving voice to working people's hopes, dreams and frustrations. He and I haven't always agreed on everything, but we've always shared a conviction that we have to make America a fairer, more just, more equitable society," Obama said.

"The Democratic Party will have to be bold," he added, arguing that Biden has the "most progressive platform" of any Democratic nominee, even though many progressives who supported Sanders remain skeptical of Biden.