The New York Times reported that U.S. President Joe Biden is concerned about losing the presidential election scheduled for November 2024, prompting him to reach out to former President Barack Obama for advice. The American newspaper noted that as the election approaches, Biden is making regular calls to Obama to discuss the presidential race or family matters. However, Obama is also making his own calls to Jeffrey Zients, the White House Chief of Staff, and senior aides in Biden’s campaign to develop strategies and share advice.
This level of engagement illustrates Obama’s support for Biden and reinforces what one senior aide described as Obama’s “profound concern” that Biden could lose to former President Donald Trump. The aide, who was not authorized to speak publicly, indicated that Obama has been “perpetually worried” about Biden's chances and is ready to “overcome that” alongside his former vice president in an election that could result in narrow margins in a few states.
The newspaper clarified that for perhaps the first time, the two are aligned regarding Biden's future, as they are scheduled to appear alongside former President Bill Clinton at a major fundraising event for Biden at Radio City Music Hall in New York on Thursday. It pointed out that things had not always been this way. In 2015, while Biden mourned the loss of his eldest son, Beau, and considered running for president, "Obama gently indicated that it was not the right time." It also noted that at times, members of Biden's team, including Biden himself, complained about being treated as second-class by Obama’s team during Biden’s tenure as vice president, and that Obama was not interested in receiving strategic advice from Biden, who had lost two previous presidential primary campaigns.
However, White House officials and those working with Obama indicated that any lingering distrust among staff has largely dissipated, given what they see as a pressing need for Biden to defeat Trump in November. Privately, Democrats close to Obama said their concerns about Biden's chances have somewhat diminished due to his performance during the State of the Union address.
