Barack Obama is significantly concerned about his former vice president’s capabilities, particularly after Joe Biden’s problematic debate performance which may hinder the Democratic Party’s efforts to block former President Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
According to a report by The Washington Post, Obama has shared privately that Biden’s path to victory has significantly narrowed following a challenging debate last week with Trump, where Biden appeared unprepared and slow to counter Trump’s records and statements. Sources familiar with these discussions told the Post about Obama’s waning confidence, even as he reached out to Biden to offer advice and act as a sounding board for strategic planning. It remains uncertain whether Obama directly discussed the debate performance with Biden.
The Biden campaign, through spokeswoman Lauren Hitt, expressed gratitude towards Obama for his consistent support and advisory role, highlighting his influential presence both to voters and directly to President Biden.
Since the June 27 debate, Biden and his team have been actively reassuring donors and party leaders about his mental sharpness and electoral prospects for November. Obama, whose office has not commented on these latest disclosures, had voiced concerns about the race’s direction even before the debate, but continues to publicly support Biden, including at a major New York fundraiser last Friday.
“Bad debate nights happen,” Obama wrote after the debate. “Trust me, I know. But this election is still a choice between someone who has fought for ordinary folks his entire life and someone who only cares about himself. Between someone who tells the truth; who knows right from wrong and will give it to the American people straight — and someone who lies through his teeth for his own benefit. Last night didn’t change that, and it’s why so much is at stake in November.”
At a private White House lunch last December, Obama already seemed worried about the Democratic Party’s chances against a resurgent Trump, who was drawing strength from the media attention around his legal issues. Obama suggested that Biden’s campaign needed quicker decision-making and subsequently, senior advisors Jennifer O’Malley Dillon and Mike Donilon were reassigned to campaign roles in Wilmington, Delaware.
In another fundraising effort last month, Obama helped raise $28 million at a high-profile Hollywood event for Biden’s reelection.
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During the event, footage showed Biden appearing disoriented, prompting Obama to guide him offstage, which raised further discussions about Biden’s campaign state.
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