MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough suggested on Thursday that within President Biden’s campaign circles, there is a belief that former President Obama may be discreetly engineering calls for Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.
During the “Morning Joe” broadcast, Scarborough provided insight into the behind-the-scenes dynamics, stating, “One thing that we do have to underline here — just so viewers can follow what’s going on behind the scenes — is the Biden campaign and many Democratic officials do believe that Barack Obama is quietly working behind the scenes to orchestrate this.”
Scarborough went on to highlight Biden’s perceived resentment towards his treatment during Obama’s tenure, particularly how he felt sidelined for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 elections. This sentiment was echoed by Mika Brzezinski, Scarborough’s co-host and spouse, who remarked, “I think Barack Obama has a lot of influence, and there’s a lot there.”
The pressure on Biden to step aside has intensified amid growing concerns about his mental agility and ability to effectively compete against former President Trump, especially following a shaky debate performance two weeks ago. Criticism has not only come from political opponents but also from former aides of Obama who have been vocal in the aftermath of the debate.
Despite the mounting calls for him to exit the race, Biden has affirmed his determination to continue, a stance that Scarborough has supported on his show. George Clooney, a prominent supporter of both Biden and Obama, recently penned an op-ed in The New York Times advocating for Biden to consider stepping down.
Clooney reportedly discussed the op-ed with Obama beforehand, although Obama purportedly did not influence Clooney’s decision to publish it. Biden himself engages with media coverage of these issues, including calling into “Morning Joe” earlier in the week to defend himself against criticism from the left.
The speculation around Obama’s involvement underscores the complex interplay of political relationships and dynamics within the Democratic Party as the 2024 election cycle unfolds. As Biden navigates these challenges, his responses and decisions will continue to be scrutinized both within his party and by the broader electorate.