Kamala Harris SNUBBED by Barack Obama as former president refuses to back VP as Biden's replacement

“I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year,” he said. “Democrats – it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”

However, Obama, one of the party’s most influential figures, has not given Harris his backing.

In a statement released hours after the 81-year-old announced he was withdrawing, the 44th President said there needed to be a “thorough process” to select an “outstanding nominee”.

Praising Biden’s decision to step down in a blog post online, Obama failed to mention Harris at all.

He said: “Joe Biden has been one of America's most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, we've also been reminded — again — that he's a patriot of the highest order.

“I also know Joe has never backed down from a fight. For him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life. But I know he wouldn't make this decision unless he believed it was right for America.

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“It's a testament to Joe Biden's love of country — and a historic example of a genuine public servant once again putting the interests of the American people ahead of his own that future generations of leaders will do well to follow.

“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.“

A source close to Obama told the New York Times said that he wanted to remain above the political fray, as he had done in 2020, and that he would “help unite the party once we have a nominee”.

Whilst Harris did not receive the backing of Obama, several key party figures spoke up to offer their support.

In a joint statement between Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, the two announced that they were backing Harris: “Now is the time to support Kamala Harris and fight with everything we’ve got to elect her.”

Josh Shapiro, the Pennsylvania governor who was seen as a possible presidential candidate, also endorsed Harris on Sunday evening.

“The best path forward for the Democratic Party is to quickly unite behind Vice President Harris and refocus on winning the presidency,” he said in a statement online.

Senator Chris Coons, a long-term friend of Harris, senator Chris Coons, is also backing the vice president, whilst Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said he would “do all that I can” to help elect Harris as the next president.

The Biden for President campaign has also officially changed its name to “Harris for President” with the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

Announcing his decision to stand down, the Potus said that “it is in the best interest of my party” and he needs to “focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term”.

In a second post online, he referred to picking Harris as his running mate in 2020 as “best decision” he has made.

Responding to Biden’s endorsement, Harris said: “I am honoured to have the president’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination.”

She will become the first African American woman at the top of a presidential ticket.