By STEVE PEOPLES, MEG KINNARD and HOLLY RAMER Associated Press
The voters in early presidential nominating states are used to seeing contenders months or even years before most of the country. But the political jockeying in 2025 for the 2028 presidential contest appears to be playing out earlier, with more frequency and with less pretense than ever before. While the first presidential primary votes won't be cast for another two and a half years, three Democratic presidential prospects are scheduled to campaign in South Carolina for 10 days this month. Nearly a half dozen others have made recent pilgrimages to South Carolina, New Hampshire and Iowa. This week, both Kentucy Gov. Andy Beshear and Rep. Ro Khanna will be in South Carolina.
Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama have endorsed Kamala Harris in her White House bid, giving the vice president the expected but still crucial backing of the nation's two most popular Democrats. The endorsement was announced Friday in a video showing Harris accepting a joint phone call from the former first couple. It comes as Harris builds momentum as the party's likely nominee after President Joe Biden's decision to end his reelection bid and endorse her against Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump. Harris thanks the Obamas for their backing and says she looks forward to campaigning with them ahead of the Nov. 5 Election Day.
