Following a Monday report that President Obama is “secretly” meeting with top Democratic contenders for the 2020 election, The Hill notes that desperate Democrats beset with Clinton fatigue are freaking out over the fact that the much “blue wave” appears to be crashing on the rocks, and there’s nobody around to salvage the party ahead of midterms and the 2020 election.
“There’s f—ing no one else,” one frustrated Democratic strategist said. “Bill Clinton is toxic, [former President] Carter is too old, and there’s no one else around for miles.” –The Hill
In the hopes of reinvigorating the DNC (of which up to 40 state chapters stand accused of funneling up to $84 million to the Clinton campaign), downtrodden dems are hoping that Obama will get off the sidelines and help rally support.
“He’s been way too quiet,” said one longtime Obama bundler who rarely criticizes the former president, according to The Hill. “There are a lot of people who think he’s played too little a role or almost no role in endorsing or fundraising and he’s done jack shit in getting people to donate to the party.”
After the GOP made sweeping gains in the 2016 election, the DNC was left in disarray – and anyone who might be able to lead the party, be it Joe Biden or Elizabeth Warren, may run in 2020. Bernie Sanders is of course out because he may run and he’s not a Democrat.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) was among five possible contenders for the Democratic crown attending the “We the People” conference in Washington on Wednesday. He received the loudest applause and heard chants of “Bernie.”
But he can’t play the elder role for the party, both because he may run for president and because he’s not a Democrat.
Former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), two other possibilities, have mass followings but also may join the 2020 race. –The Hill
That leaves the spotlight squarely on Barrack Hussein Obama – whose lack of endorsements during the primary season and general absence has frustrated Democrats.
Bill Clinton, who is more radioactive than ever after making ill-advised comments over “what you can do to somebody against their will,” has endorsed several candidates since leaving office, yet Obama has declined to do the same thus far.
“You have all these people running for office, some of them against other Democrats, and his strategy has been to not endorse anyone and that’s what’s been so f—ing ridiculous because not only are you not helping them, you’re hurting them,” said the bundler.
Former aides and Democratic strategists said Obama has sought to maintain a lower profile not only for his party to find new life, but also to avoid playing a foil to President Trump and Republicans.
A source close to Obama said the former president is looking forward to hitting the campaign trail, fundraising and issuing more endorsements closer to the midterms. But the source added that injecting himself into day-to-day politics would do the Democratic Party a disservice by making it more difficult for other Democratic voices to rise to prominence. –The Hill
Others say that Obama has remained the unofficial leader of the Democratic Party since leaving office.
“He always wanted to help, without a doubt. He cares tremendously about our country and our party. But I think he always intended to be a little more on the sidelines than he’s been,” said one former Obama aide. “I think he realizes he is needed and needed badly.”
Former Obama aides say that the ex-President is unsettled by policies flowing from the Trump administration, along with the “tone and tenor” of the White House (but not enough to aggressively help active Democrats fight, apparently).
According to Democratic strategist David Wade: “It’s certainly not the post-presidency he might’ve preferred.”
Maybe Obama is just having a good time hanging out?
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