Barack Obama reportedly warned President Joe Biden that his predecessor, Donald Trump, is a more formidable political opponent than the Democratic Party understands.
During a lunch meeting at the White House in late June, Obama warned Biden not to underestimate Trump, the Washington Post reported.
According to the newspaper, Obama raised concerns about Trump’s “political strengths — including an intensely loyal following, a Trump-friendly conservative media ecosystem and a polarized country — underlining his worry that Trump could be a more formidable candidate than many Democrats realize.”
Because of Trump’s strengths, Obama reportedly pledged to do everything in his power to ensure that Biden wins re-election. He will begin campaigning for Biden this fall.
“President Biden is grateful for his unwavering support, and looks forward to once again campaigning side-by-side with President Obama to win in 2024 and finish the job for the American people,” the Biden campaign said.
Sources who spoke to the Washington Post said Obama’s concerns were not about Biden’s political prowess per se, but that Trump remains a strong presidential contender despite facing an onslaught of legal troubles and a crowded field of Republicans vying for the GOP nomination.
While Biden’s dismal job approval numbers and brutal polls showing Americans largely blame him for economic woes might suggest that Biden is his own political liability, Obama is right. In fact, numerous surveys polling a potential 2020 rematch show that Biden and Trump remain in a statistical tie. Some polls show Biden with a slight edge, while others show Trump ahead.
Just this week, a New York Times poll reaffirmed this reality.
The poll found that, among registered voters, Biden and Trump are tied at 43%. The poll confirmed that whatever problems Trump may have as a general election candidate, Biden’s own liabilities erase any benefits.
“Donald Trump can win a rematch with Joe Biden!” CNN host Dana Bash exclaimed in response to the poll.
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