Barack Obama on Bernie Sanders
Barack Obama has conveyed private skepticism regarding Bernie Sanders's suitability for the presidency, especially concerning the general election against Donald Trump.
Sources indicated that Obama viewed Sanders as politically and temperamentally unfit to win, citing his strident politics and known unwillingness to compromise during his time in the Senate.
However, Obama publicly maintained that he would support the eventual Democratic nominee, and privately signaled to Sanders's camp that he would back him if he won the nomination, prioritizing party unity for the general election.
Context
The relationship and perceived ideological gap between Barack Obama and Bernie Sanders are significant within the modern Democratic Party.
Obama's political style is often characterized as pragmatic, focusing on incremental improvement and seeking compromise, which contrasts with Sanders's self-described democratic socialism and call for transformational, systemic change.
During the 2016 and 2020 primary cycles, Obama's position was keenly watched as he remained the most popular figure in the party, making his private leanings a major point of political analysis.
Timeline
- President Obama met with Senator Sanders to discuss foreign policy and the economy, displaying public neutrality in the heated primary race against Hillary Clinton.
- Following the primary loss to Hillary Clinton, Obama expressed hope that Sanders would concede soon, noting that Sanders's candidacy brought 'enormous energy and new ideas' and 'pushed the party' and made Clinton a better candidate.
- Reports surfaced that Obama privately vowed to intervene to stop Bernie Sanders if he appeared poised to run away with the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, expressing concern over radical upheaval.
- As Sanders gained momentum, Obama reportedly maintained in private that he would support Sanders if he became the nominee, despite ongoing ideological reservations about his 'far-left policies'.
- Following Sanders's decision to end his campaign, Obama officially endorsed Joe Biden, having reportedly 'nudged' Sanders out of the race after 'long conversations'.
Key Quotes
The average American doesn't think we have to completely tear down the system to remake it.
It was a healthy thing for the Democratic Party to have a contested primary. I thought that Bernie Sanders brought enormous energy and new ideas. And he pushed the party and challenged them. I thought it made Hillary a better candidate.
Sources6
Obama feels Sanders is unfit to battle Trump – and he has told people he might say so publicly
What Obama Is Saying in Private About the Democratic Primary
Obama, Sanders talk foreign policy, economy and 'a little bit of politics'
Obama once warned he would intervene to stop Sen. Bernie Sanders
Report: Obama Had 'Long Conversations' With Bernie Sanders, Pressed Him Out Of Primary Race
Obama expressed hope that Bernie Sanders in “the next couple of weeks” will finally concede
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.