WASHINGTON - Democrat Kamala Harris will campaign for the first time with former US president Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, in separate events next week, hoping to inject some political star power in the final dash to election day in November, a senior campaign official said.

       The Obamas remain immensely popular with the Democratic base and are expected to be effective closers in the final stretch of a campaign relying on turnout from loyal Democrats in states where victory margins are thin.

       Polls show the presidential race between Vice-President Harris and Republican rival Donald Trump remains extremely close.

       Mrs Obama is set to campaign for the first time this election cycle, appearing with Ms Harris on Oct 26 in Michigan.

       The former first lady's pull-no-punches speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago earlier in 2024 accused Trump of fearmongering his way to power.

       Mr Obama is set to campaign with Ms Harris on Oct 24 in Georgia.

       He has been criss-crossing the battleground states, with a solo event recently in Pittsburgh, and more to come in the coming days in Tucson, Las Vegas, Detroit and Madison.

       Mr Obama drew some criticism after his first campaign appearance, where he admonished some black men for not “feeling the idea of having a woman as president”.

       Critics said his tone threatened to scapegoat some of the Democratic Party's most reliable supporters, alienating voters who may have grown disillusioned but are still persuadable.

       Ms Harris was an early supporter of Mr Obama's 2008 presidential bid, and he has helped her behind the scenes as the party's 2024 standard-bearer.

       The former president is viewed by some as having helped usher President Joe Biden out of the race after Democrats' worries about the 81-year-old leader's age and abilities skyrocketed after his June debate against Trump. REUTERS