Barack Obama Prepping Democratic Candidates For 2020 Presidential Election

Former President Barack Obama has been meeting with potential Democratic candidates for the upcoming 2020 presidential election.

Over the past few months, Obama has invited several rumored presidential candidates to meet privately in his D.C. office for one-on-one sessions, according to Politico. So far, the former president has met with at least nine potential candidates including former Vice President Joe Biden, Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D).

The meetings give the former president a chance to listen and give thoughts on campaign ideas, as well as help candidates in securing the support of donors and party bigwigs. However, he is not expected to endorse anyone in the 2020 presidential race until after a nominee has been selected by voters.

“He doesn’t see himself as the person to come up with the plan, people who know about the meetings say, but he is eager to be a sounding board and counselor to the Democrats he sees as playing a role in shaping the party’s future,” a source told Politico.

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While some have criticized Obama for not taking a larger public role in the Democrat’s battle against Trump, others claim the former president is focusing his energy on the upcoming 2018 midterms.

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Despite not dominating recent headlines, Obama is spearheading key efforts to support the Democratic party by speaking with party leaders, including former Senate Democratic leader, Harry Reid, and raising funds. He is scheduled to speak at a fundraising event for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee on June 29 in the Bay Area.