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From the Washington Post: Former president Barack Obama has told allies in recent days that President Biden’s path to victory has greatly diminished and he thinks the president needs to seriously consider the viability of his candidacy, according to multiple people briefed on his thinking.
Obama has spoken with Biden only once since the debate, and he has been clear in his conversations with others that the future of Biden’s candidacy is a decision for the president to make. He has emphasized that his concern is protecting Biden and his legacy, and has pushed back against the idea that he alone can influence Biden’s decision-making process.
Behind the scenes, Obama has been deeply engaged in conversations about the future of Biden’s campaign, taking calls from many anxious Democrats, including former House speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and has shared his views about the president’s challenges, according to people with knowledge of the calls, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.
The Washington Post further wrote that “Obama has said he thinks Biden has been a great president and wants to protect his accomplishments, which could be in jeopardy if Republicans control the White House and both chambers of Congress next year.”
Obama has reportedly voiced concerns that the polls are moving away from Biden and donors are abandoning him, while former president Donald Trump’s electoral path is expanding.
Meanwhile, Biden’s principal deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks said Thursday morning that Biden is not going anywhere. “He is not wavering on anything,” Fulks declared. “The president has made his decision. I don’t want to be rude, but I don’t know how many more times we can answer that.”
Breaking news: Former president Barack Obama has told allies in recent days that President Biden’s path to victory has greatly diminished and he thinks the president needs to seriously consider the viability of his candidacy. https://t.co/4bw9LiMTTJ
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) July 18, 2024
