Obama honors Biden’s move to drop out — but is split on Kamala Harris endorsement

Former President Barack Obama honored President Joe Biden 's decision Sunday to exit the 2024 race, but he notably split with the president when it came to immediately endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris .

Biden endorsed Harris , who is set to inherit Biden's nearly $100 million campaign war chest, roughly a half-hour after announcing his decision on Sunday.

Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton followed in Biden's stead and voiced support for Harris.

Obama, however, made no mention of the vice president in his own statement regarding Biden's decision, instead emphasizing a "process" that needs to come next.

"We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead. But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges," the former president wrote. "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. And I expect that every single one of us are prepared to carry that message of hope and progress forward into November and beyond."

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Obama did argue that Biden's "outstanding track record" gave Biden "every right to run for re-election and finish the job he started," and Harris herself has taken strides in recent days to tie her closely to the president's record in office.

"Vice President Harris is the obvious choice to replace President Biden and not just because of the $100 million war chest she’d stand to inherit,” a veteran Democratic campaign operative told the Washington Examiner, noting that, as Harris is already listed as Biden’s running mate, any funds raised by his campaign or affiliated super PACs would most easily be transferred to her. “She’s able to go around the country and connect with voters and remind them of everything this administration has done over the past four years."