Barack Obama, the former president of the United States, expressed concern about Donald Trump’s political strengths during a private lunch with President Biden earlier this summer. Obama highlighted Trump’s intensely loyal following, a Trump-friendly conservative media ecosystem, and a polarized country, suggesting that Trump could be a more formidable candidate than many Democrats realize. The lunch, which took place in late June at the White House residence, saw Obama promise to do everything he could to help Biden get reelected.
Obama’s commitment to supporting Biden’s reelection campaign is significant, as the president seeks support from top Democrats, with Obama being the biggest star among them. The details of their private conversation have not been previously reported. The concerns expressed by Obama were not related to Biden’s political abilities but rather a recognition of Trump’s influence over the Republican Party. Recent polling suggests that Trump has a significant lead over his GOP rivals, and in a hypothetical rematch, he and Biden are essentially tied.
During the lunch, there was no specific agenda, and the two presidents discussed a range of political, policy, and personal matters, including updates about their families. However, tensions between the Biden and Obama camps still linger. Obama remains highly popular among Democrats and is their most sought-after surrogate. His role in the 2024 cycle has not yet been determined, but Obama is likely to follow his playbook from recent elections. In 2020 and 2022, he held large rallies in swing states, hosted fundraisers, cut ads, and appeared in nontraditional settings to connect with young voters.
Obama is expected to ramp up his political activity in the coming months, starting with a fundraiser in August to benefit the National Democratic Redistricting Committee. He is also expected to begin fundraising for Biden in the fall. Biden aides welcomed Obama’s early commitment to help the campaign, given the frustration among some in Biden’s circle about Obama’s role before the 2016 election. Obama had made it clear at the time that he believed Hillary Clinton, not Biden, should be the Democratic nominee.
There have been claims of tension between the two camps, but senior Biden aides reject this idea. They highlight the overlap between Obama and Biden staffers and Obama’s involvement in the 2020 and 2022 elections. Obama, before publicly endorsing Biden in 2020, worked behind the scenes to ensure Biden’s nomination. As he left the White House after the June lunch, Obama filmed a short video to help Biden with online fundraising, emphasizing the importance of grassroots supporters in campaign revenue.
In conclusion, Obama’s concerns about Trump’s political strengths and his commitment to helping Biden’s reelection campaign are significant developments in the political landscape. As the 2024 election approaches, the role of Obama, a highly popular figure among Democrats, will be closely watched. Biden and his team are eager to secure the support of top Democrats, and Obama’s assistance will be crucial in their efforts to secure victory in a potentially hard-fought race.
Original Story at www.washingtonpost.com – 2023-08-02 17:51:03
Comments are closed.