President Biden and former President Barack Obama have been meeting privately to discuss strategies to preserve their legacy and counteract former President Trump in the 2024 election, according to a new report.
A recent story from New York Magazine, titled “What Obama is Whispering to Biden,” reveals the details of the “secret” meals shared by the two presidents as they navigate the challenging political landscape ahead of the 2024 election. The meetings underscore the urgency they feel given the current political climate.
Obama’s concerns about the upcoming election are reportedly in line with those of other top Democrats, stemming from an understanding of the deeply fractured political and media environment. According to New York Magazine, these concerns are not rooted in animosity toward Biden or his administration but are instead a realistic assessment of the hurdles they face.
Obama has been careful not to publicly criticize Biden or his campaign, understanding that such actions could harm the Democratic Party. Nevertheless, sources indicate that Obama believes the 2024 race will be extremely close and that a Trump victory is a genuine possibility. Despite initially keeping his distance from Biden’s 2020 campaign, Obama eventually played a crucial role, persuading campaign leaders to significantly increase their digital budget and facilitating the involvement of high-profile figures like director Steven Spielberg.
Throughout Biden’s presidency, there was a belief that relying on Obama was not as critical as it had been during the previous election cycle. However, by late 2023, with the rematch between Trump and Biden on the horizon, Obama re-emerged as a central figure in the campaign. He has been offering strategic advice, particularly on building and maintaining staff in key battleground states and on efforts to engage young and Black voters.
Obama expressed his continued support for Biden’s administration during a recent event with Biden and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. “I take great pride in what the Biden administration has accomplished,” Obama said, emphasizing the importance of proactive engagement in the upcoming election. “And it’s a reminder that we don’t have to just vote against something in this election. We have somebody to worry about. And there’s a whole agenda that we should be concerned about.”
This renewed collaboration between Biden and Obama highlights the high stakes of the 2024 election and the critical need for a unified Democratic front to address the challenges posed by a potential Trump resurgence.