Former President Barack Obama reportedly told an unnamed 2020 candidate that former vice president Joe Biden lacks an “intimate bond” with voters, especially in Iowa, the first-in-the-nation caucus state.
Politico’s Ryan Lizza writes:
“Sometimes [Obama] offers candid advice about his visitors’ strengths and weaknesses. With several lesser-known candidates, according to people who have talked to him or been briefed on his meetings, he was blunt about the challenges of breaking out of a large field. His advice is not always heeded. He told Patrick earlier this year that it was likely “too late” for him to secure “money and talent” if he jumped in the race. Occasionally, he can be cutting. With one candidate, he pointed out that during his own 2008 campaign, he had an intimate bond with the electorate, especially in Iowa, that he no longer has. Then he added, “And you know who really doesn’t have it? Joe Biden.”
Obama’s remarks about Biden’s issues in Hawkeye State are reflected in his falling poll numbers. “According to the latest CBS News Battleground Tracker poll, Biden is down eight points in Iowa from June to November to leave him tied with Senator Bernie Sanders at 22% as the top choice among registered Iowa Democrats. They were just ahead of South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg (21%) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (18%). Other recent polls have shown Biden polling as low as fourth within that top tier, CBS News said.
Pastor of Cities Church Speaks Out After Don Lemon’s Arrest
Behind the scenes: Trump and White House rally behind Noem as ‘radicals’ demand ouster
US escalates sanctions on Iranian officials as Trump considers military options
WATCH: If Trump Bowed to Dems on Narco-Boats, Nearly 1 Million Americans Could Die, And 126 Narco-Terrorists Would Be Alive – That’s What Today’s Democrats Are Demanding
EXCLUSIVE: Epstein emails to be released as DOJ says no criminal or inappropriate conduct by Trump
Reporter’s Notebook: Senate funding deal hits snag as Graham presses sanctuary city vote
Watch: Trump’s Hilariously Honest Response to Reports He Fell Asleep During the Last Cabinet Meeting
Texas Issues Disaster Declaration as Flesh-Eating Parasite Spreads North from Mexico
Federal agents arrest 3 more people in connection to Minnesota church storming
Accused US killer captured in Mexico after monthslong international manhunt for recycling bin murder
Damning Video: Trump Plays Elizabeth Warren’s Eulogy for Alex Pretti Over Footage of Pretti Wildly Attacking ICE, Destroying Property – the Result Is Truly Blistering
Ilhan Omar Has Bizarre Response When Questioned About What She Did After Being Sprayed by Vinegar
Federal judge backs away from threat to hold ICE leader in contempt
Trump and GOP eye midterm convention cities in high-stakes bid to hold House, Senate
Trump officials work to ease tensions in Minneapolis as secretive negotiations progress
Obama’s brutal assessment of Biden’s performance on the trail, which has been a constant source of concern for Democratic Party officials and primary voters, is sure to add to the narrative that the former president has little — if any — faith in his former number two’s ability to secure the nomination. Obama infamously did not endorse Biden’s latest White House bid. In a 60 Minutes interview, the former vice president claimed Obama’s silence was at his own request. “I asked him not to,” Biden said. “I think it’s better — I think he thinks it’s better for me.”
While Lizza acknowledges this public statement, he writes that Biden “wanted a nudge” and was “infuriated” by the former president’s reclusive approach to this political cycle.
News of Obama’s criticisms about Biden comes as the former president has become more vocal about the 2020 primary content.
Obama warned Democrats on Thursday against adopting “purity tests” in the presidential primary and said any adversity the candidates face in the contest will make whoever emerges an even stronger nominee.
Obama spoke to about 100 donors during a question-and-answer session with Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez in Los Altos Hills, California.
Pastor of Cities Church Speaks Out After Don Lemon’s Arrest
Behind the scenes: Trump and White House rally behind Noem as ‘radicals’ demand ouster
US escalates sanctions on Iranian officials as Trump considers military options
WATCH: If Trump Bowed to Dems on Narco-Boats, Nearly 1 Million Americans Could Die, And 126 Narco-Terrorists Would Be Alive – That’s What Today’s Democrats Are Demanding
EXCLUSIVE: Epstein emails to be released as DOJ says no criminal or inappropriate conduct by Trump
Reporter’s Notebook: Senate funding deal hits snag as Graham presses sanctuary city vote
Watch: Trump’s Hilariously Honest Response to Reports He Fell Asleep During the Last Cabinet Meeting
Texas Issues Disaster Declaration as Flesh-Eating Parasite Spreads North from Mexico
Federal agents arrest 3 more people in connection to Minnesota church storming
Accused US killer captured in Mexico after monthslong international manhunt for recycling bin murder
Damning Video: Trump Plays Elizabeth Warren’s Eulogy for Alex Pretti Over Footage of Pretti Wildly Attacking ICE, Destroying Property – the Result Is Truly Blistering
Ilhan Omar Has Bizarre Response When Questioned About What She Did After Being Sprayed by Vinegar
Federal judge backs away from threat to hold ICE leader in contempt
Trump and GOP eye midterm convention cities in high-stakes bid to hold House, Senate
Trump officials work to ease tensions in Minneapolis as secretive negotiations progress
Until recently, Obama largely refrained from opining publicly on the Democratic contest, and his move from the sidelines comes at a moment of deep uncertainty for the party. Many are jittery about the uneven candidacy of Biden, questioning whether Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) can defeat President Trump next year, and skeptical of whether Pete Buttigieg, the South Bend, Indiana, mayor who is surging in Iowa, can appeal to black voters that are a crucial Democratic voting bloc.
“We will not win just by increasing the turnout of the people who already agree with us completely on everything,” Obama said. “Which is why I am always suspicious of purity tests during elections. Because, you know what, the country is complicated.”
Obama urged Democrats to “chill out,” saying, “The truth of the matter is that every candidate on that stage believes we should provide” better health care and education and address climate change.
Story cited here.
