Obama Takes Center Stage as Biden Remains on Sidelines

President Barack Obama has been pivotal in some of the Democratic Party’s major races recently, from redistricting skirmishes to last year’s gubernatorial contest. Meanwhile, former President Joe Biden has not been very active in his party’s key political battles since he left office, despite having received more votes than any presidential candidate in history.

“We had a Virginia election where Democrats invested heavily, and, if I remember correctly, we barely saw Joe Biden,” noted Jeff Ryer, Virginia Republican Party Chairman. He contrasted this with Obama’s vigorous campaigning, especially for a redistricting referendum that ultimately favored the Democrats, as decided by the Virginia Supreme Court. “During the Democratic Party’s $80 million campaign, Obama was prominently featured in numerous TV ads—clearly the standout leader.”

Biden’s reduced presence in significant Democratic races has strengthened Republican assertions that the party is distancing itself from him.

“Joe Biden is like the ninth season of ‘Dallas.’ It was all a dream,” Ryer remarked, referencing the notorious reboot of the classic CBS show where the whole season was rendered non-canonical later on.

Concerns Over Democratic Leadership

Many Democratic strategists express a growing sentiment that Obama remains significantly more popular and politically impactful than Biden, even years after leaving office.

“There’s a lot of nostalgia for the Obama years,” said Democratic strategist Andrea Riccio. “He brings a kind of excitement that no other president can replicate, which is why his presence is crucial right now.” She emphasized that Obama is “one of the best surrogates” for the Democrats, particularly as they try to recover from the losses in the 2024 presidential elections and still lack a strong leader.

Recently, Obama visited Texas, meeting with gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa, Republican Sen. John Cornyn, and Democratic Senate contender James Talarico, who is gaining traction against Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Gaining support from Texas’ Black voters is pivotal for Talarico, and strategists believe Obama could be instrumental in increasing turnout this fall.

Fox News contributor and Democratic strategist Jessica Tarlov suggested that Talarico is likely to avoid campaigning with Biden, as he’s attempting to distance himself from the current administration’s image. “He’s been vocal about the issues in the Biden administration, especially regarding immigration,” Tarlov stated. “Representing Texas means the border is a crucial issue.”

Tarlov further highlighted that Obama remains a more favorable figure than Biden. “Biden tends to go where people invite him, adopting a more passive approach. In contrast, Obama actively engages with those who want him around, and there will be candidates who prefer not to campaign alongside Biden,” she remarked.

Shifts in Campaign Dynamics

Interestingly, Tarlov speculated about Gov. Gavin Newsom of California potentially involving Biden in redistricting efforts. “Newsom has been one of Biden’s strongest supporters, so I assumed he would’ve wanted Biden on board if possible,” she said.

Ultimately, though, it’s Obama who has taken the lead in the party’s redistricting initiatives in California and Virginia, while Biden has remained largely absent from the public eye. During high-profile gubernatorial races last November, Obama campaigned for Democratic candidates in both Virginia and New Jersey—an effort not matched by Biden’s presence.

Democratic strategist James Carville noted that Biden may simply not have the energy level of Obama, especially considering his recent health diagnosis of stage 4 prostate cancer.

Biden’s Continued Involvement

While Biden may not be front and center in every significant party effort, he isn’t completely sidelined. He endorsed Keisha Lance Bottoms for Georgia’s gubernatorial primary in early May and later supported former aide Dan Coe in Massachusetts’s 6th Congressional District.

Moreover, Biden addressed the Delaware Democratic Party’s annual First State Dinner in April and participated in South Carolina’s Democratic Party Dinner in February, both events marking important occasions for his campaign.

An official from Biden’s team mentioned that more public appearances are anticipated from him as the election season progresses.

The Republican National Committee expressed optimism about Biden’s involvement as well. “If Biden engages in the midterms, it would be a boon for us,” RNC spokesman Zach Craft said. “We’d happily arrange travel for him to every battleground state.”