Obama Telling Allies Biden Needs to ‘Seriously Consider’ Dropping Out, Per Report

AP Photo/Susan Walsh

According to a report from the Washington Post , former President Barack Obama has recently told Democratic allies that President Joe Biden should “seriously consider” the viability of his candidacy.

Obama and his former vice president have reportedly only spoken once since the fallout from Biden’s poor performance at the CNN debate against former President Donald Trump . Obama has been “deeply engaged” per WaPo in conversations about the future of Biden’s presidential campaign by taking calls from anxious Democratic lawmakers.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has also reportedly talked with Obama about her concerns regarding Biden’s electability. In private conversations, Obama has reportedly claimed that his focus is protecting Biden and his legacy while noting that he alone cannot influence Biden’s decision to drop out.

Obama has reportedly said he feels protective of Biden and wants to protect his former VP’s “accomplishments” since he entered the Oval Office.

Per WaPo:

Obama sees his role as a sounding board and counselor to his former vice president, telling allies that he feels protective of Biden. In these conversations, 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.

In some conversations, Obama, who has long looked to data for political insights, has told people he is concerned that the polls are moving away from Biden, that former president Donald Trump’s electoral path is expanding and that donors are abandoning the president.

Biden and his campaign advisers have repeatedly stated that the president will not drop out of the race despite growing calls from strategists, pundits, and lawmakers in his own party.