WASHINGTON ― Barack Obama quickly became a notable figure after introducing himself as “a skinny kid with a funny name”.

He captivated swing voters on the Democratic convention stage in Boston nearly two decades ago, delivering a message that resonated in a nation once marked by slavery, suggesting that a place exists for people like him.

Four years later, in a historic election, Obama became the first Black president of the United States, forming a coalition that turned several Midwest states, including Indiana, Iowa, and Ohio, along with some southern states, blue.

Now, Obama, alongside a vast network of devoted supporters, has returned to his roots in Chicago, aiming to achieve another historic milestone: electing the first woman of color to the highest position in the country.

“The key point is we’re ready to get to work,” Obama expressed during a phone conversation with Kamala Harris on July 23, just two days following President Joe Biden’s surprising withdrawal from the 2024 race.

Earlier this year, Obama voiced concerns through intermediaries about the possibility of Donald Trump regaining power while Biden was in the race. Yet, openly, he maintained a calm demeanor, ready to step in as needed for Biden, his previous vice president.

However, there have been moments of critique as well, such as when actor George Clooney, a prominent Democratic fundraiser with friendly ties to Obama, publicly encouraged Biden to exit the race.

Additionally, Obama faced scrutiny for a statement made on July 21 that advocated for an open nomination process for selecting a new candidate. Some, including journalist Roland S. Martin, criticized him for delaying his endorsement of Harris’ campaign.

Supporters within Obama’s political circle stress that his rapport with Harris, which began two decades ago, remains strong.

They have consistently kept in touch during her vice presidency, with their communication reportedly increasing significantly over the previous month, as highlighted by a source familiar with their relationship.

Obama has extended support in terms of policy advice, strategy, fundraising, and getting voters to the polls, according to this insider.

“We’ve got to make it happen. We are going to face challenges, and you will need to prove yourself to earn not just the nomination but the trust of people across the nation,” Obama, accompanied by his wife Michelle, conveyed to Harris in a detailed account of their July call provided to YSL News.

“But we believe in you, and we’re confident you’ll achieve your goals,” Obama reassured.

Similarities Abound: Democratic Party Takes Inspiration from 2008

As the nation navigates the excitement of the 2024 presidential race, there are obvious connections being drawn between Obama and Harris as she strives to become the first woman of color in the Oval Office.

Harris is breaking fundraising records, motivating previously disengaged voters, attracting celebrities, and filling venues even during the summer months when many take vacations. Both she and Obama share fathers who hold PhDs in economics and have a sister named Maya.

She also possesses a distinctive name.

“Their political styles are quite similar, characterized by a focus on relationships and an uplifting spirit,” commented Stefanie Brown James, a Democratic strategist who formerly served as Obama’s national director for African American voter outreach during his successful reelection in 2012.

Democratic consultant Douglas Wilson, who was a regional field director for Obama in South Carolina during the 2008 campaign, noted that the similarities are impossible to overlook.

“Both are pioneers, emerging as leaders at critical moments for the country,” said Wilson, who also acted as a senior advisor to the Biden-Harris campaign in North Carolina during the 2020 election.

This alignment is something the Harris campaign is keen to capitalize on, especially with the now 63-year-old Obama, who has matured into a statesman role among the three living former Democratic presidents.

Significantly, Obama has been awarded a keynote speaking spot during the convention’s second evening (Michelle will also be speaking), marking one of the pivotal moments of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) as many from Obama’s extensive network join Harris’ campaign team.

With a mix of celebrity endorsements, grassroots advocates, and local strategists, a number of individuals from Obama’s past campaigns noted that the 2008 and 2012 presidential runs will continue to influence the current election landscape.

It is vital for Harris and her supporters to gain insights as they enter the final weeks of the 2024 campaign.

However, some experts caution that Harris needs the opportunity to establish her own identity, particularly as the initial support for the sitting Vice President begins to fade and she starts presenting her own policies.

A lot has evolved in the last fifteen years, her allies note, especially with Trump’s control over the Republican Party and his victory over Hillary Clinton in 2016, a triumph fueled by a populist approach that flipped numerous traditionally Democratic states to Republican, including Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Iowa.

Trump’s MAGA movement was fundamentally a strong backlash against liberal elites and the political establishment, as well as against Obama’s vision for a diverse future.

Kal Penn, an actor and former campaign worker for Obama, remarked to YSL News that the campaign was aware that Obama’s unique characteristics—being young, Black, and having an unusual name—might deter some voters.

According to him, their strategy at the time was focused on reaching out to voters by prioritizing issues over appearances, and the challenge for Harris will be to build upon that foundation.

“The groundbreaking nature of her candidacy deserves recognition but should not overshadow the essential kitchen table issues that most voters care about,” Penn added, highlighting his own background as the child of Indian immigrants.

‘A range of supporters’: Obama’s top allies unite for Harris

Obama has continued to play an advisory role since Harris took the lead of the party, firmly believing that the 2024 election will be shaped by a divided media environment and steadfast Trump supporters, according to his allies.

Recently, there’s been a marked uptick in the number of prominent figures from previous campaigns joining Harris’s team, including Penn, who has committed to supporting her campaign.

Among the senior consultants are David Plouffe, who led Obama’s 2008 campaign; Mitch Stewart, who was behind the 2008 Iowa caucus success; Stephanie Cutter, who served as deputy campaign manager during Obama’s 2012 campaign; and Jen Palmieri, a former communications director for Obama.

According to Harris’s campaign officials, these additions show a commitment from the party to unify efforts in the campaign’s final phase, while still retaining leadership from Biden’s campaign, which included many former Obama staffers.

In a conversation with Harris in July, Obama emphasized the importance of delivering her message not only to Democrats but also to all Americans, including Republican voters and younger segments of the electorate.

“The stakes are substantial, and your vision for an inclusive, affirmative, community-oriented, responsible, and law-abiding America is precisely what we need,” Obama advised Harris. “You’ll be putting in a lot of effort, but you will have plenty of supporters by your side.”

‘This is not 2008’ — Obama alumni caution against nostalgia

Other former Obama campaign veterans are cautioning against Democrats getting caught up in past memories.

They need to accept and leverage Harris’s unique qualities and strengths.

“The way they communicate is distinctly different—Midwest versus West Coast,” noted Michael Ceraso, a Democratic strategist who was involved in Obama’s campaigns in New Mexico and New Hampshire.

He pointed out that Obama’s success was fueled by widespread dissatisfaction with George W. Bush’s administration and the anti-Iraq War sentiment at the time, capturing a moment when many believed that the Oval Office lacked the necessary intelligence.

In contrast, Harris faces challenges shaped by concerns over democracy and the ongoing scrutiny surrounding Trump, who is currently dealing with unprecedented legal issues that include 34 felony convictions linked to hush money payments to a former adult film actress with whom he allegedly had an affair.

“I don’t think her prosecutorial approach would be suitable for 2008 or even 2019,” remarked Ceraso. “However, it is timely now when contrasted with Trump. Her message is clear, succinct, and has a contemporary flair. That’s the source of the enthusiasm.”

Those who were part of Obama’s early journey also highlight the vastly different paths each took to achieve their groundbreaking Democratic presidential nominations.

Obama initially started as a long shot among a dense primary competition filled with prominent Democratic figures, including Biden, who had previously run in 1988. He campaigned for two years in an insurgent manner that culminated in a head-to-head contest with Hillary Clinton, a former first lady and his Senate colleague.

Conversely, Harris’s initial presidential run in 2020 did not even reach the Iowa caucuses. She exited the race in December 2019, and eight months later, Biden honored his campaign promise to select a woman as his vice-presidential running mate.

“The organizing efforts have not ceased since then,” said James, co-founder of Collective PAC, which focuses on boosting Black political engagement.

“I firmly believe that in this moment, Black women are the driving forces, the standard bearers, the models to follow.”

For example, while many older Black civil rights figures and elected officials were skeptical about Obama’s chances and supported Clinton in 2008, many women of color—including voters, activists, and officials—expressed a clear preference this year for Harris as the Democratic candidate.

“This isn’t 2008. Barack was a newcomer in the national arena, while Kamala has been a public figure for almost a decade now,” stated Anton Gunn, who served as Obama’s political director in South Carolina during the 2008 election.

He added that Harris approaches the 2024 election with valuable executive experience that Obama lacked, having built a substantial network over her four years as vice president, which was advantageous when she needed to quickly respond to the open nomination this past summer.

Harris also benefits from having the support of the Obama team.

Recalling Obama’s 2008 campaign, Democratic consultant Brent Messenger highlighted the risks party members took by challenging the seemingly unbeatable Clinton campaign.

Originally from San Francisco, Messenger noted that it was Harris who first introduced him to Obama during the 2008 campaign while serving as the city’s district attorney. Harris was viewed by the original Obama campaign team as part of their group.

“Backing Obama was a risky move when Hillary Clinton was clearly the frontrunner,” Messenger stated, who was the field director for Obama in New Mexico during the 2008 election. “She took a considerable risk by endorsing Obama early on.”

“It was a grassroots effort filled with true believers,” he continued. “Some recognized this, while others did not.”

‘Déjà vu feeling’: Engaging the youth vote, audience sizes, and social media initiatives

Others who participated in Obama’s previous campaigns suggest that Democrats should emphasize their parallels.

Both Harris and Obama understand the crucial need to connect with younger voters during a presidential campaign. This understanding is reflected in Harris’ recent social media efforts.

For example, in early July, as Biden’s campaign floundered, the vice president noticed a significant increase in social media activity featuring the hashtag #KHive, a vibrant community of supporters generating a wealth of pro-Harris content. The buzz has only intensified as she stepped into the role of presidential nominee.

“What they’re doing is staying relevant in the current cultural moment while continuously energizing their base,” stated Scott Goodstein, a Democratic tech advisor. “It’s quite impressive.”

Goodstein was responsible for overseeing Obama’s social media strategy in 2008. Back then, platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and the iPhone were still emerging, making candidate-supporter interactions an unexplored territory.

Fast forward to today, and the online landscape has shifted dramatically. Nonetheless, it’s clear that Harris’ campaign has taken cues from Obama’s digital strategies, employing clever responses to controversies and misinformation.

“This is now a global challenge, and the Harris campaign has elevated their approach by using clips of Trump speaking against his own words and disseminating corrections to their supporters,” Goodstein explained.

Terry Szuplat, a former Obama speechwriter and author of the upcoming book “Say It Well” focusing on public speaking, noted the impressive way the Harris campaign has disrupted the Republican nominee’s messaging.

“Harris is maintaining her focus on the issues that genuinely concern Americans, such as reducing living costs, safeguarding their essential rights, making education more affordable, and ensuring retirement security,” he commented.

“Meanwhile, Donald Trump appears fixated on the size of her audiences and seems irked by the increasing enthusiasm directed towards her.” Szuplat remarked.

The Republican candidate, who frequently highlights Obama’s middle name “Hussein” and his involvement in the campaign, demonstrated this last week during a press conference at his private golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.

When asked whether he should concentrate more on issues like inflation and border security, Trump responded to reporters: “I feel justified in making personal attacks. I don’t hold much regard for (Harris).”

Some of Obama’s supporters, including former White House communications director Dan Pfeiffer, poked fun at Trump for organizing a campaign event about the cost of living at a private golf course.

David Axelrod, a key strategist for both of Obama’s presidential campaigns, commented that Trump appears “like a flustered old boxer,” being overwhelmed by Harris, “a younger, more nimble opponent, and swinging wildly.”

On the campaign trail, Democratic rally attendees have noted the clear connections between Obama and Harris as well. Suba Srini, an IT professional turned activist from Chantilly, Virginia, was among the 14,000 individuals who filled Temple University’s Liacouras Center in Philadelphia earlier this month when Harris introduced Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her partner in the campaign.

This event instantly reminded her of Obama’s initial run for the presidency. “I definitely felt a sense of déjà vu,” she stated.