Campaigners hope Obama appearance will boost Biden
Barack Obama was due to appear at a fundraising event for President Joe Biden in New York last night, alongside another former Democratic president, Bill Clinton.
It was hoped the event would raise more than $25m for the party’s US election campaign. It will also be a high-profile moment for Mr Obama to show his backing for Mr Biden.
Mr Obama is “very worried” about the prospect of another Donald Trump presidency and will be throwing his weight behind Mr Biden’s campaign, one expert said.
Todd Landman, a professor of political science at Nottingham University, said: “I think Obama is very worried about a Trump presidency. He is really not underestimating this person.”
Professor Landman said this election would be “very tight”. “Polls are going up [for Biden] but anything can happen in ‘poll land’, it is fairly uncertain,” he added. “The whole thing will be down to turnout, the independents, third party candidates and the undecided.”
Bringing Mr Obama, 62, to the forefront of the campaign will give the Biden camp a chance to tap into his experience, relative youth compared with the 81-year-old candidate, and renowned speech-making skills. “Obama brings the reality of being president for eight years, youthful exuberance and is one of the best orators we have ever had,” said Professor Landman. “There are a lot of people who don’t like him, they don’t like Obamacare.
“But he is hugely popular on the left and centre-left and he can mobilise the black vote, which is struggling with Biden.”