How Obama boosted Kamala Harris and continues to shape the Democratic Party

Echoes of Obama have been evident at Harris' rallies since she became the Democratic standard bearer, drawing crowds of thousands

President Joe Biden embraces Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris during the first day of Democratic national convention on Monday in Chicago. Picture: AP/Jacquelyn Martin

After Kamala Harris secured the Democratic presidential nomination in an unprecedented party upheaval, she got some advice from former president Barack Obama: Tap the campaign talent pool that is out there; you can have anyone you want.

Within days, Obama's former campaign manager David Plouffe and other high-profile alumni from Obama's 2008 and 2012 election efforts joined her nascent campaign.