Headline Roundup • August 3rd, 2023
Obama Pledged to Support Biden's Re-Election in Private Meeting
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Earlier this summer, former President Barack Obama pledged to President Joe Biden that he would do all he could to support Biden's re-election.
Key Details: In the private meeting, Obama reportedly also warned Biden that former President Donald Trump is a formidable political opponent with a loyal base of supporters.
Key Quote: Eric Schultz, a senior adviser to Obama, said that Obama “looks forward to supporting Democrats up and down the ballot next fall, and no race has bigger stakes than President Biden’s re-election.”
For Context: Obama held large rallies in 2020 and 2022 in swing states. He also hosted fundraisers for Biden and other Democratic candidates.
How the Media Covered it: The Washington Post (Lean Left bias) noted that the race is essentially tied, according to a New York Times (Lean Left) poll. Fox News (Right) noted that the meeting reportedly focused on a recognition of Trump's grip on the Republican Party, and not about Biden's political abilities.
Featured Coverage of this Story
Reuters/Kevin Lamarque TPX Images of the Day
According The Washington Post, former President Obama had a private meeting with President Biden this summer where he warned him that former President Trump is a "more formidable candidate" than many Democrats realize.
After speaking with two people familiar with the meeting, Washington Post White House reporter Tyler Pager wrote about the private lunch Obama had with Biden in June during which the former president told Biden not to underestimate Trump and pledged to support Biden’s re-election bid.
According to the sources, Obama "voiced concern about Donald Trump’s political strengths —...
Caroline Gutman for The Washington Post
Former president Barack Obama, at a private lunch with President Biden earlier this summer, voiced concern about Donald 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.
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At the lunch, held in late June at the White House residence, Obama promised to do all he could...
Former President Barack Obama pledged during a recent lunch with President Biden at the White House that he would do all he can to support Biden’s reelection and reportedly stressed that Donald Trump remains a formidable political foe.
The Washington Post reported Wednesday that Obama voiced concerns about Trump’s political strengths, such as his intensely loyal base of supporters, political polarization and the conservative media world backing him.
A White House spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.
Eric Schultz, a senior adviser to Obama, declined to comment on details of the lunch but said in...
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