Barack Obama Makes Big Change For Joe Biden As Election Nears: Reports
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Former President Barack Obama is becoming more involved in President Joe Biden’s campaign over serious concerns that Republican challenger Donald Trump could win in November, The New York Times reported Wednesday.
An unidentified senior aide told the paper that Obama is going to “eke it out” with Biden in what appears to be a tight race, because the former president has “always” been worried about a loss to Trump.
Obama’s increased level of engagement includes regular phone conversations with Biden and calls to White House chief of staff Jeff Zients and top campaign aides to formulate a game plan, according to the Times.
CNN reported that Obama spent hours with Biden at the White House Friday in what was primarily a “working visit.” Obama had praised him for his fiery State of the Union address and has emphasized the importance of health care to win over voters. Obama deems the push to reelect Biden an “all hands on deck” effort, those familiar told the news network.
To that end, Obama has also committed to many events to stump for his former vice president, aides said to CNN.
One of them is an appearance together along with former President Bill Clinton in a $25 million campaign fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall on Thursday.
“Perhaps for the first time, the two are on the same page about Mr. Biden’s future,” as The New York Times described.
Before the 2020 election, Obama kept his distance somewhat, endorsing Biden in April of that year after Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) had dropped out of the race. There were reports that Obama had pledged behind the scenes to prevent Sanders from earning the nomination.
