Obama Reportedly Cautioned Biden On 2020 Presidential Run: “You Don’t Have To Do This, Joe”

The former president hasn’t endorsed anyone in the 2020 Democratic primary.

Regardless of their close relationship, Barack Obama has reportedly expressed his concerns about Joe Biden‘s 2020 presidential run.

READ: Joe Biden Says “Poor Kids Are Just As Bright And As Talented As White Kids” In Iowa

In a report from the New York Times, Obama spoke with Biden before he joined the race and “took pains to cast his doubts about the campaign in personal terms.”

According to someone the Times spoke to who was familiar with Obama and Biden’s exchange, the former president told the former vice president “You don’t have to do this, Joe, you really don’t.”

Biden responded by telling Obama “he could never forgive himself” if he turned down the opportunity to try and win against Donald Trump.

Elsewhere in the report, Obama spoke with Biden’s top advisers and reportedly told them they needed to make sure Biden does not “embarrass himself” or “damage his legacy” during the campaign.

Last week, Biden had made headlines for telling a crowd in Iowa that “poor kids are just as bright and just as talented as white kids” while talking about discrimination faced by low-income students.

“We have this notion that somehow if you’re poor, you cannot do it. Poor kids are just as bright and just as talented as white kids,” Biden said.

Kate Bedingfield, Biden’s deputy campaign manager, clarified that Biden had “misspoke” during the moment.

Source: New York Times