In a bid to secure a second term as President of the United States, Joe Biden has sought the backing of his former running mate and popular Democrat, Barack Obama. Reports reveal that the two leaders had a private lunch at the White House in June, during which Obama pledged to do everything in his power to help Biden’s reelection campaign. The upcoming 2024 race is expected to be tightly contested, with Donald Trump emerging as the prominent figure in the Republican Party, despite facing multiple criminal charges. Trump’s dominance in the polls among Republicans adds to the challenge Biden faces as he seeks to retain his position.
The history between Biden and Obama has been somewhat complex, as Obama reportedly hesitated to endorse Biden for his third presidential attempt in 2020. Biden’s previous attempts at securing the Democratic nomination in 1988 and 2008, where he lost to Obama, have added to the dynamics of their relationship. However, Biden managed to secure the nomination and defeat Trump in the 2020 election, garnering substantial support from African American voters and benefiting from Obama’s campaign efforts. Despite winning the election by a significant margin in both the popular vote and electoral college, Biden’s approval ratings have faced challenges throughout his presidency.
As President, Biden has confronted numerous obstacles, including handling the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing economic difficulties, managing political polarization, and dealing with Russian aggression towards Ukraine. While he has achieved some notable successes, his approval ratings have remained lower than desired. According to authors Jonathan Martin and Alex Burns in their book “This Will Not Pass,” Biden expressed his confidence that Obama may not be entirely pleased with the media’s portrayal of his administration as more transformative than Obama’s. In response to the news of the June lunch meeting between Obama and Biden, Eric Schultz, an Obama adviser, refrained from commenting.
Meanwhile, the Biden campaign spokesperson, TJ Ducklo, expressed gratitude for Obama’s unwavering support and expressed enthusiasm about campaigning side-by-side once again to secure victory in 2024 and continue working for the American people. With the 2024 election on the horizon, Biden’s strategic alliance with Obama signifies a strong effort to maintain Democratic leadership in the country amidst fierce competition and critical challenges. As both leaders gear up for the campaign trail, the nation awaits a potentially historic election that will shape the future of the United States.