Some Top Democrats Keep Their Powder Dry on Endorsing Kamala Harris, Leaving Door Open to Convention Pick

President Joe Biden announced Sunday he was dropping out of the presidential race and then endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris — but several key Democrats are keeping their powder dry as the party reels from this monumental change at the top of the ticket.

The news of Biden’s exit sent shock waves through the American political scene Sunday afternoon, with the president posting a letter sharing that “[w]hile it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and my country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term.” He shortly followed that up with a statement announcing his “full support and endorsement” of Harris.

Harris has since been endorsed by former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who posted a statement on X, formerly Twitter, voicing their praise for Biden for always doing “what’s best for the country” and endorsing Harris, vowing to “do whatever we can do to support her.”

“Now is the time to support Kamala Harris and fight with everything we’ve got to elect her,” the Clintons’ statement concluded. “America’s future depends on it.”

Former President Barack Obama also released a lengthy statement Sunday praising his Biden as “a patriot of the highest order” but declining to endorse Harris. Wrote Obama about the Democratic Party’s next steps:

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. 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.

For now, Michelle and I just want to express our love and gratitude to Joe and Jill for leading us so ably and courageously during these perilous times — and for their commitment to the ideals of freedom and equality that this country was founded on.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) also posted tweets praising Biden as “a true patriot and great American,” “a patriotic American who has always put our country first,” “one of the most accomplished and consequential leaders in American history,” respectively. Neither mentioned Harris or anything else about who should lead the Democratic ticket.

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