Biden In ‘Regular Contact’ With Obama To Consult On A Range Of Issues
The White House said on Monday that President Joe Biden is in constant touch with his former boss, former President Barack Obama, to discuss various issues facing the barely three-month old administration.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Biden maintains a “regular” communication with his Obama, where the 78-year-old president “consults” with his fellow Democratic president.
“They consult and talk about a range of issues and I would expect that continues through the course of President Biden’s presidency,” Psaki said in a press briefing.
When asked whether the former president had been to the White House since Biden’s inauguration on January 20, and how often they talk — Psaki declined to divulge specifics but maintained that the two are “friends.”
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Monday said that President Biden maintains “regular” communication with President Barack Obama on a number of issues https://t.co/dNFgOiupL3
— H24 News US (@h24news_us) March 23, 2021
The reporter asked: “President Obama is taking part, I think within the next hour, in an event with Protect Our Care, talking about the Affordable Care Act. Has he visited the White House yet? Or, indeed, are there any — do you know how often he has spoken to President Biden? And are there any plans for him to take part in advocacy at administration events going forward?”
To which Psaki replied: “Well, I will say, having a unique view of this question, they are not just — they were not just the President and Vice President; they are friends.”
“They consult and talk about a range of issues. And, you know, I would expect that continues through the course of President Biden’s presidency.”
The press secretary noted that Biden and Obama are expected to “work on” the Affordable Care Act, given the former Democratic president’s work during his administration.
“President Biden’s commitment to expand access to healthcare throughout his presidency … is an issue they’ll talk about,” Psaki added.
“They keep in regular touch and our teams are in regular touch about a range of issues,” she continued.
Biden-Obama teams “keeping in touch”
During the presidential campaign, Biden has largely stuck to running his campaign promising to continue Obama’s legacy — where he served as vice president.
True to this, he has tapped several individuals who previously served in the Obama administration, including his climate czar John Kerry, chief of staff Ron Klain, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.
Despite this supposed “long standing friendship,” Obama made headlines last year for waiting until very late in the campaign cycle before endorsing Biden — his own VP. He was also reportedly backing Senator Elizabeth Warren at first.
Obama formally endorsed Biden in April 2020, after everyone of his primary opponents — including his last remaining rival that time, Sen. Bernie Sanders endorsed him.
BACKING BIDEN: Multiple Sources Say Barack Obama to Officially Endorse Joe Biden Today https://t.co/9DZdRkvcl1
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) April 14, 2020
The New York Times has also earlier reported that former President Obama repeatedly discouraged Biden to run for president. “You don’t have to do this, Joe, you really don’t,” The Times said, quoting “a person familiar with the exchange.”
Throughout the campaign trail, Biden would often reference his work during the Obama administration and his plans to get the Obamas more involved if ever elected — including tapping former First Lady Michelle Obama to be his running mate and appointing former Obama to the Supreme Court, “if he wanted to.”
.@JoeBiden: I’ll make Obama a SCOTUS judge and Michelle my VP pic.twitter.com/UzBGnivR6f
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) January 28, 2020
Biden also earlier drew criticism throughout the campaign trail from his fellow Democratic candidates who accused him of back riding on Obama’s achievements.
