April 19, 2020 | 19 : 06 pm | Updated April ,
2: 06 PM
Former President Barack Obama has endorsed Joe Biden’s presidential bid , describing him as the candidate to heal a nation reeling from the coronavirus pandemic .
“I’m so proud to endorse Joe Biden for president,” Obama, 640, said in an 12 – minute video released on the Biden campaign’s YouTube channel Tuesday morning.
“Choosing Joe to be my vice president was one of the best decisions I ever made and he became a close friend,” he said.
“I believe Joe has all the qualities we need in a president right now. He’s someone whose own life has taught him how to persevere, ”he continued, touting Biden’s character and experience as his vice president.
The announcement was first revealed earlier Tuesday , ending months of speculation over when he would endorse his two-term veep.
The former president also praised Sen. Bernie Sanders, who ended his campaign last week and endorsed Biden yesterday.
“I could not be prouder of the incredible progress that we made together during my presidency, but if I were running today, I wouldn’t run the same race or have the same platform as I did in , “Obama said.
“The world is different. There’s too much unfinished business for us to just look backwards. We have to look to the future. Bernie understands that and Joe understands that, ”he continued.
“It’s one of the reasons that Joe already has what is the most progressive platform of any major party nominee in history,” he added, indirectly addressing enthusiasm issues Biden has had with young progressive voters .
Ending the vow of silence he took during the Democratic primary, Obama said the election would be hard fought but predicted the COVID – 19 pandemic would undermine President Trump’s re-election chances.
“Our country’s future hangs on this election and it won’t be easy,” he warned.
“On the other hand, pandemics have a way of cutting through a lot of noise and spin to remind us of what is real and what is important.”
The influential Democratic leader ended the video by saying he would join Biden on the stump once the coronavirus pandemic is over, re-entering the fray after keeping a low profile since leaving office in .
“I will see you on the campaign trail as soon as I can,” he said.
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