Welcome to the beat, I'm Mari Melber, and we're reporting on Barack Obama's entry into the presidential

race, the former president playing a special, even arguably unique role in the Democratic

Party, and he makes it official for Kamala Harris today.

Former President Obama famously tapped Biden on his ticket,

reviving the career of a senator who had already run for president twice.

And Obama was, I bet you remember, over the last few years, of a

career career of a senator who had already run for president twice and Obama was, I bet you remember, over the last few weeks, a much discussed but seldom publicly heard

presence during these intramural debates about whether President Biden should do what he did last weekend,

the almost unprecedented unusual measure after having clinched the nomination of stepping aside.

Now throughout that process in public, Barack Obama backed his teammates over and over,

including right after the debate which drew so much consternation. And another contrast to keep in mind,

former President Clinton backed Harris immediately last weekend

when this all went down,

but Obama held back.

He is coming in now today as a ceremonial closer.

Kamala Harris already has the pledge delegates.

She has all the other party leaders, I bet you know that.

And now, tonight, she has Baraka, Michelle Obama ending the week.

The Harris campaign breaking the news with this endorsement video.

I can't have this phone call without saying to my girl Kamala I am proud of you.

This is going to be historic.

We call to say Michelle and I couldn't be prouder to endorse you and to do everything we can to get you through this election and into the overall.

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