As per The Guardian’s report, former President Barack Obama had a confidential lunch with President Joe Biden in June, during which he cautioned about the significant challenge ex-President Donald Trump might present in the 2024 election.
Obama highlighted Trump’s firm grip on the Republican Party, the loyalty of his voter base, and the substantial support he receives from conservative media.
The Daily Caller also reported that Obama raised concerns about these factors potentially making Trump a formidable contender in 2024, despite facing legal challenges from various fronts.
Former president Barack Obama, at a private lunch with President Biden earlier this summer, voiced concern about Donald Trump’s political strengths, underlining his worry that Trump could be a more formidable candidate than many Democrats realize. https://t.co/ny9nLiywNj
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) August 2, 2023
Amid Trump’s consistently high poll numbers, Obama acknowledged his staying power. According to FiveThirtyEight, Trump leads all GOP candidates with an average of 52% support, surprising many Democrats who expected his support to wane after three indictments, but his base views the charges as politically motivated.
In response to the tight race between Biden and Trump, Obama reportedly offered to support Biden’s campaign, focusing on enhancing fundraising initiatives to maximize their impact. A July 2023 poll showed a 43% draw in a hypothetical 2024 match-up between Biden and Trump.
BBC News reported that the polling data has raised concerns within the Democratic Party, as some are becoming more receptive to the idea of Biden running for re-election, while half of the primary voters prefer another candidate. Biden’s overall approval rating currently stands at 39%.
Clifford Young, president of U.S. public affairs with Ipsos, said of Trump supporters: “They see the world through his eyes. His base believes he’s been wronged. They believe that the indictments are politically motivated.”
Eric Schultz, a senior advisor to Obama, told The Washington Post. “We place a huge emphasis on finding creative ways to reach new audiences, especially tools that can be directly tied to voter mobilization or volunteer activations. We are deliberate in picking our moments because our objective is to move the needle.”
In light of this situation, the former and current Presidents are devising strategies to ensure a Democratic victory in the 2024 elections. With Obama’s offered support and Biden’s desire for backing from prominent Democrats, they are ready to unite their campaign efforts.
The potential for a robust 2024 campaign by Trump emphasizes the importance of the challenge ahead for Biden and the Democrats, considering the strong likelihood of Trump running in the next election.
