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By Alia Shoaib
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A Democratic activist has criticized former President Barack Obama for not endorsing Kamala Harris as the party's presidential candidate.
"President Obama didn't help President Biden when he needed him the most, now he noticeably didn't endorse Vice President Harris. It's truly sad when your heroes let you down," Chris D. Jackson wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Biden withdrew his reelection bid on Sunday following weeks of mounting pressure from within his own party.
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He was quick to endorse his vice president to replace him at the top of the ticket, and a large number of elected Democrats followed suit.
However, some top Democrats have remained notably silent on Harris's candidacy, including Obama.
Obama released a statement praising Biden's presidential achievements and applauding his decision to withdraw from the race.
"Joe Biden has been one of America's most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me," he wrote.
"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."
Newsweek reached out to the Obama Foundation for comment via email.
In an email Sunday afternoon, a source familiar with Obama told Newsweek: "Just like he did in 2020, once Joe Biden earned the nomination, President Obama believes he will be uniquely positioned to help unite the party once we have a nominee, lift up that candidate, and do everything he can to get that candidate elected in November."
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Other top Democratic figures who have not yet endorsed Harris are former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Behind the scenes, Pelosi is advocating for an open process in order to avoid the appearance of Harris having been anointed, sources told Politico.
Other Democrats have publicly called for an open nomination process.
Democratic Senator Peter Welch said that the party should have "an open process so that whoever our nominee is, including Kamala, has the strength of having a process that shows the consensus position of the party," per Reuters.
Representative Zoe Lofgren also told MSNBC that she supported the idea of a "mini primary" in which former Presidents Obama and Bill Clinton could help vet potential candidates.
"I don't think we can do a coronation, but obviously the vice president would be the leading candidate," Lofgren said.
The party now faces two options: either coalesce around a candidate before the Democratic National Convention, or hold an open convention starting August 19—a scenario not seen since 1968.
Harris has thanked Biden for endorsing her and has said she intends to "earn and win this nomination."
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