Former U.S. President Barack Obama believes that President Joe Biden's already challenging path to re-election has become even more difficult following his shaky performance in the debate last Thursday against rival Donald Trump. The Washington Post, citing sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations, reported that "Obama spoke separately directly with Biden via phone after last Thursday's debate to offer his support. It is unclear how Obama specifically addressed Biden's performance and his path to re-election during the call."
Biden's campaign spokesperson Lauren Hitt stated, "Biden is grateful for Obama's steadfast support since the beginning of this campaign as a strong messenger to voters and a reliable advisor directly to the President." Obama has long voiced concerns about his party facing defeat against Donald Trump in November, repeatedly warning Biden in recent months about the difficulty of winning re-election. Just before the debate, Obama conveyed his concerns about the state of the election race to his allies.
While some Democrats are calling for Biden to withdraw from the presidential race amid widespread panic, Obama has not expressed this possibility. According to sources, "Obama sees his role as beneficial to Biden based on their history of working together." Obama appeared on Friday at a fundraising event in New York for House Democrats, where he expressed his ongoing support for Biden.
For months, Obama has shared his deep concerns with Biden and his friends about Trump's political strengths and the real possibility of Trump's re-election. In December, during a private lunch at the White House, Obama discussed the need for Biden to empower his campaign apparatus and suggested appointing a higher-level decision-maker at the Wilmington headquarters. The following month, Jennifer O'Malley Dillon and Mike Donilon left the White House to work as the campaign's president and chief strategists, respectively.
Last June, Obama outlined Trump's political strengths during a private lunch with Biden, telling him that Trump benefits from fiercely loyal followers, a friendly conservative media system, and a highly polarized country. During that lunch, Obama also promised to assist Biden in his campaign.
Obama, the Democratic Party's biggest star, has appeared at major fundraising campaigns with Biden in recent months. Last month, Biden and Obama co-hosted a fundraiser in Los Angeles alongside George Clooney and Julia Roberts, raising over $30 million. In April, Biden, Obama, and former President Bill Clinton appeared together at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, raising over $26 million.
