President Barack Obama made his first campaign trail appearance on behalf of presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton on Tuesday, saying that he's ready to "pass the baton" to the former secretary of state.
"And I know that Hillary Clinton is going to take it, and I know she can run that race — the race to create good jobs and better schools and safer streets and a safer world," he said in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Standing at a podium bearing the presidential seal, Obama echoed his 2008 campaign rhetoric as well as used Clinton's 2016 catchphrase as he concluded his speech.
"That's why I'm fired up, that's why I'm ready to go, that's why I'm with her," Obama said.
Pres. Obama: "I'm ready to pass the baton, and I know that Hillary Clinton is gonna take it" https://t.co/XufAkwYjeZ https://t.co/lFCsdp9t6s
— The Situation Room (@CNNSitRoom) July 5, 2016
The president particularly praised Clinton's judgment while serving as the nation's top diplomat.
"My faith in Hillary Clinton has always been rewarded," he said.
Obama's glowing endorsement came on the same day that FBI Director James Comey said that the agency is recommending Clinton not be charged in the case over her handling of classified emails while at the State Department.
Neither Clinton nor Obama mentioned the FBI decision at the upbeat North Carolina rally.
Obama also took over Clinton's Instagram account Tuesday, posting a picture of the two of them getting off Air Force One and writing that he's "fired up" to campaign with the former first lady.
A photo posted by Hillary Clinton (@hillaryclinton) on
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