Obama’s dilemma: Balancing Democrats’ worry about Biden and maintaining influence with president

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Barack Obama has a delicate balance to strike: how to weigh the mounting opposition to President Joe Biden continuing his campaign with his loyalty to his former running mate.

In recent days, Obama has taken calls from congressional leaders, Democratic governors and key donors in which he has shared their unease about the prospect of Biden’s campaign following his calamitous June 27 debate performance against his predecessor, Donald Trump.

But even as Obama has listened to Democrats’ concerns, he has insisted that the decision to remain in the race is only for Biden to make, according to several people familiar with the matter who requested anonymity to discuss the private conversations.

Obama finds himself forging through the most delicate political moment for Democrats since former President Bill Clinton’s impeachment, with much higher stakes. It’s a moment that requires Obama to balance his role as a party elder and an honest broker for Democrats seeking advice while avoiding being seen as betraying his former vice president.

“President Obama has to and wants to play the role of statesman, above the political fray that former presidents have traditionally played,” said Matt Bennett, who served as an aide to Vice President Al Gore and is now an executive vice president at the Democratic-leaning group Third Way. “He also wants to remain a credible sounding board for President Biden. If he takes a public position, that ends it.”

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