WASHINGTON _ Joe Biden on Monday received the endorsement of NARAL Pro-Choice America, a progressive advocacy group that supports abortion rights, the latest indication of how the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee is consolidating support from a community of activists who once viewed his candidacy skeptically.
NARAL president Ilyse Hogue told McClatchy the endorsement was an easy decision, citing the existential threat the organization thinks President Donald Trump poses and Biden's own public pledges to unequivocally support abortion rights.
"We've had awesome and robust conversations with the campaign," Hogue said in an interview. "I think, collectively, we're clear-eyed about the work that needs to be done."
Hogue said she had spoken with the former vice president in the last couple of weeks "to put the cherry on top of the endorsement." She declined to reveal specifics of their discussion, but called the group's endorsement "full throated."
Abortion rights advocates, Hogue included, chided Biden as recently as last year when he initially maintained support for the Hyde Amendment, which bans the use of federal funds for most abortions. Biden reversed his stance on the issue by June of last year, though he declined to apologize for his prior support.
Hogue said Biden's shift on the law was proof of his willingness to listen to advocates and his "deeply compassionate" character. On this issue, she said, Biden's agenda has evolved.
"He's always moved in a more progressive direction," she said. "He's never back-slipped. And that's just a mark of his great character."
Biden also received an endorsement from Planned Parenthood's political arm last month.
Throughout different points in his decadeslong career in public office, Biden, who is Roman Catholic, has received criticism from abortion rights advocates for votes they say weakened reproductive rights.
But during his current run for president, he has pledged to enshrine access to abortion rights into federal law.
Hogue said she is not only pleased with Biden's agenda on abortion rights, but also that she's excited about any of the women he is reportedly considering as his running mate.
"The names that are being batted about are super exciting," Hogue said. "We are great fans of every single one of them."
She added that Democrats must unite to defeat Trump this fall, saying that his opposition to abortion rights has already undermined access to abortion for many women.
"Trump is the manifestation of a long-term movement of which the anti-choice element was really instrumental," Hogue said. "The reality is, if you don't hold a popular opinion, then you're forced to undercut democracy to maintain power. And I think Trump is the pinnacle of that."
NARAL officials say they plan to spend nearly $35 million on efforts to reach voters in battleground states, the group's largest-ever expenditure on an election.
