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LAST UPDATE | 14 Apr 2020
FORMER US PRESIDENT Barack Obama has described Joe Biden as a ‘close friend’, as he formally endorsed his former vice president for the White House.
Obama made the expected endorsement by way of a video message, providing a boost to Biden’s campaign as one of the Democratic party’s most popular figures.
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought the campaign to a near halt and questions remain over how it will proceed over the next few months.
In his message, Obama noted the current global situation, saying “these aren’t normal times”.
“Michelle and I hope that you and your families are safe and well. If you’ve lost somebody to this virus, or if someone in your life is sick, or if you’re one of the millions suffering economic hardship, please know that you’re in our prayers,” he said.
Turning to Biden, Obama said that in “moments of great crisis… the spirit of looking out for one another” is needed in the White House.
“The kind of leadership that’s guided by knowledge and experience; honesty and humility; empathy and grace – that kind of leadership doesn’t just belong in our state capitols and mayors offices. It belongs in the White House,” Obama said.
And that’s why I’m so proud to endorse Joe Biden for President of the United States.Choosing Joe to be my Vice President was one of the best decisions I ever made, and he became a close friend. And I believe Joe has all the qualities we need in a President right now.
In a 12-minute video, Obama praised Biden’s work on the H1N1 and Ebola epidemics as their stewardship of the US recovery from the previous recession.
“Joe was there as we rebuilt from the Great Recession and rescued the American auto industry. He was the one asking what every policy would do for the middle class and everyone striving to get into the middle class,” Obama said.
The former president also praised former candidate Bernie Sanders, who yesterday also came out to endorse Biden.
“Bernie’s an American original – a man who has devoted his life to giving voice to working people’s hopes, dreams, and frustrations,” Obama said.
Obama-Biden
Biden leaned heavily on his affiliation with the former president throughout the Democratic primary, touting their relationship and framing his pitch as an extension of Obama’s presidency.
On the trail, Biden often referred to himself as an “Obama-Biden Democrat”, and has said in recent weeks that he has spoken with Obama about his vice presidential pick.
But Obama stayed above the fray in the primary, rarely speaking out about the intra-party fight. The former president offered his private counsel to any Democratic presidential contender who asked for it, but made no efforts to bolster any one candidate’s campaign.
His endorsement comes considerably earlier than in 2016. He backed Hillary Clinton in June that year as her contentious primary fight with Sanders dragged on.
This cycle, the primary came to a much cleaner and quicker end, with Mr Sanders endorsing Biden yesterday.
The former vice president now has the support of all of his former Democratic primary rivals except for Elizabeth Warren. The Massachusetts senator is expected to formally throw her support behind him soon, according to a source.
Two other prominent Democrats who have yet to formally endorse Biden are former president Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, the party’s 2016 nominee.
Clinton has been in regular touch with Biden, including several times since Sanders dropped out of the race, according to an aide.
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Seen a small child running on his ‘own’ and didn’t think to stop and check if he was with someone..?!!
Good point Derina… A couple of times I’ve been out walking my dog and I’ve seen young toddlers out walking on their own. I’ve stopped them and sure enough 20secs later their poor mother or father would be running down the street after them, panicked. The other problem nowadays is that people can be reluctant to interfere in case they are accused of something. Personally I wouldn’t care what people thought, a toddler out alone is in danger from all sorts of things so I’d make it my place to stay with them until Mammy/Daddy showed up or call the gardai.
Man approaches small child he doesn’t know with no parents nearby…
To be quite honest, I doubt I’d stop in those circumstances.
Have to say, sad state of affairs but I would have to agree with you and I think quite a lot of people would too.
That’s the thing Chris… As I said above, some people, men in particular would probably be afraid to stop and check. Sadly that’s the society we now live in. Fear of false accusation is terrible.
Very strange they did not stop and help, hold him until police came. ,What is wrong with folk today ?
Praying for the little boy’s safe return.
Agree with who
Chris
Thanks
There must be more to this story that the police aren’t saying.
It’s so sad I really hope he is found safe.
A few years ago I was walking home with my own son from the local shopping centre when I noticed a young boy of about 3 years old slowing walking along. I walked by him but I thought it strange him being on his own. He was about half a mile from the centre. I went back to him and I asked him where was his mum. He said he didn’t know. I brought him back to my house and I rang the security in the shopping centre on the off chance she was there. Sure enough his mother was frantically looking for him and had gone to security. She confirmed his name and what he was wearing. The security guy drove her to my house to collect him. The poor woman was hysterical I’ll never forget her face. To this day I’m so glad I went back to him, people shouldn’t be afraid to approach if it means saving a child’s life.
This story reminds me of Madeline McCann, I have a feeling the mother knows a lot more than she’s telling people
So Aaron u reckon Madeline Mc Canns mother knows more than she saying?
Yeah I do, both her and the father, always believed it from the start that they were keeping something to themselves about it
Ridiculous comment
They were questioned by both the Portuguese police and the British so Im sure if they had anything to do with it one or other would have seen through their stories
The Portugese named them as suspects and after swearing they’d never leave Portugal without Maddie they did a legger back to the UK on a private chartered flight within a couple of days.
Its pointless mentioning the British Police as they have about as much authority in the case as you and I do
Well the cadaver dog smelled a body in the boot explain that?
Just heard on news that its now believed he went missing sooner as he had not being to nursery school that day.
As someone said more this story then we are getting although hopefully Im wrong
Heard earlier today that there is now a possibility that he went missing before the timeframe previously given & if that is the case, the mother definitely knows something!!!!!
He might have found Narnia, or Captin Hook took him in the middle of the night.
But the story stinks.
There is something the mother knows that we don’t.
Yeh, I’d say she does. Like how it feels as a parent to have your child missing for 36 hours without knowing if the child is safe or alive? A sheer hell that many of us hopefully will never have to experience.
Whats this…the mother is in custody…
Archie +1
Mick Rooney 0
CALLED IT
I really hope the poor little fella is found safe & well .. I don’t know why she never checked on him before she went to bed .. He’s only 3 it should of been the last thing she done b4 going to bed ..
I really hope the little fella is found safe& well… I don’t know why his mother never checked on him before going to bed .. He’s only 3 it should of been the last thing she done ..
Omg kellie are u mad writing that here I said same thing yesterday and got abused
Maybe she went to bed at 9
I was wondering that, unless of course she went to bed at the same time. It’s just awful I hope he turns up safe and sound soon.
Heart sinks
Well I personally would check my girls at least twice in between my putting them to bed & going myself!!!!! All depends on what time his mother went to bed herself tho I suppose!!
Please god he will be found safely soon x
Rip lil man
Maybe she did!!!!!
R.I.P little mikaeel
Terrible news the little man has been found there are some sick people in this world …
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