WASHINGTON – Former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton are set to pass on their political star power, along with former first lady Michelle Obama and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton. Vice President Kamala Harris in the last part of his campaign electionaccording to four people familiar with their plans.
High-profile surrogates all felt themselves “energetic” by them roles in the year Democratic National Convention Last month, Harris said they offered to help his team and that these people would be most helpful.
Barack Obama is expected to do title A fundraiser for Harris in Los Angeles next Friday and then larger campaign events next month, while Michelle Obama will focus on promoting voter registration and turnout for Harris, people familiar with the Obamas’ plans said. In addition to traveling for Harris, the former president will sign on to fundraisers and, as he has done in the past, record candidate-specific ads and robocalls for Democrats in down-ballot races. effort.
“His strategy this fall will depend on where he can move the needle with Democrats and with persuasive voters, particularly in states with key races,” said Eric Schultz, a senior adviser to Obama.
Obama will “engage in traditional and creative tactics” to reach voters digitally, working with content creators and influencers to drive young people to IWillVote.com, he said.
Although she has held fewer campaign events than her husband, Michelle Obama is even more energized to help this election cycle because the Democratic nominee is Harris, not President Joe Biden, people familiar with her plans said. An overall strategy and schedule for the Obamas is still being finalized, and they will take direction from the Harris campaign on what’s needed on the campaign trail, according to people familiar with their plans.
during Michelle Obama’s speech at the DNC in Chicagohe implored Democrats not only to back Harris this November, but also to “do something” to help him win.
A former senior Obama adviser said the Obama family “are both extremely energized by Harris’ candidacy, spent time at the convention, and look forward to helping his campaign in any way they can.”
The Obamas and Clintons would have some role in the continuation of the Biden campaign. A person close to the planning said they could now help Harris in the various constituencies needed to win in November.
Bill Clinton, for example, would target more rural areas, with possible events in places like the Rust Belt and Georgia, according to two people familiar with his plans. He is eager to get off the trail and has been described by someone close to him as a “Dalmatian in a fire barn.”
Former President Clinton may also appeal specifically to Latino voters because she did better than her successors in that key demographic while in office, another source said. Given his role as “chief explainer” on the subject in 2012, he will likely speak on economic issues, telling Harris that his visit could begin in October.
Hillary Clinton, for her part, is expected to focus on women and LGBTQ voters during campaign events, with dates still being negotiated, two people familiar with her schedule said. She is likely to be a key spokesperson on reproductive freedom, which could be an effective way to reach suburban women, whom the campaign finds critical.
According to these sources, he plans to help fund-raising efforts between stops on his latest book tour, which begins next week. Hillary Clinton has at least one dinner with donors planned for next Friday, separate from Barack Obama’s event.
Both the Obamas and the Clintons have been in frequent contact with Harris, who has offered debate strategy and perspective ahead of Hillary Clinton’s run-in as the vice president since she topped the ticket. confrontation with former President Donald Trump this week in Philadelphia.
For his part, Biden will continue to go to the war zone to say what the White House views as the highest achievements of the Biden-Harris tenure. The president will travel to Philadelphia on Monday as part of his official duties, but according to officials in both countries, Harris will continue to travel wherever he goes and is expected to hold more joint events with the vice president in the final sprint to Election Day. offices.
Biden could help shore up older white voters, especially those not at the core of Harris’ coalition, these people said. First Lady Jill Biden also pledged to campaign for Harris in the fall with a focus on education.
In addition to the Bidens, Obamas and Clintons, Democratic governors such as Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Gavin Newsom of California, Sens. Cory Booker, D.N.J. and Laphonza Butler, D-Calif. according to a source familiar with the plans.
Harris’ team has a steady stream of celebrity supporters on behalf of the vice president, which is only expected to increase in the coming weeks, but the campaign is also working to engage digital surrogates more directly than in the past. circuits. According to the source, he hopes to use the massive following of online content creators to his advantage without having to schedule events for them in person.