Reports suggest that former President Barack Obama may have been involved in George Clooney’s decision to write a critical op-ed for the New York Times urging President Joe Biden not to seek reelection.
Joe Scarborough, host of “Morning Joe,” mentioned on his show that Obama is rumored to be “working behind the scenes” to orchestrate Biden’s exit from the upcoming presidential race. The speculation gained more traction after Politico reported that Clooney had a private conversation with Obama before the op-ed was published.
“I’ll say one thing that we do have to underline here so viewers can follow what’s going on behind the scenes, is the Biden campaign and many Democratic officials do believe that Barack Obama is quietly working behind the scenes to orchestrate this,” Scarborough claimed next to a stunned wife and co-host Mika Brzezinski.
WATCH:
BREAKING: MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough:
“What’s going on behind the scenes is the Biden campaign and many Democratic officials do believe that Barack Obama is quietly working behind the scenes to orchestrate this.”
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) July 11, 2024
Politico’s morning newsletter detailed a conversation between Clooney and Obama, where the A-list actor informed Obama of his decision to withdraw support for Biden’s reelection campaign. This development came shortly after Clooney hosted a high-profile fundraising gala attended by both Biden and Obama, which successfully raised significant funds for Biden’s campaign. During the event, an incident where Obama assisted Biden in navigating the stage highlighted concerns about Biden’s stamina, underscoring ongoing discussions about his capability to handle another four-year term at the age of 81.
According to the outlet, Clooney told Obama that Biden’s appearance at the L.A. fundraiser was “the same man we all witnessed at the debate.” While Obama did not encourage or advise Clooney about the op-ed, he also refrained from attempting to kill it, apparently. Clooney’s piece landed like a bombshell on Wednesday, sending the White House into damage control mode as aides scrambled to respond to some of the most devastating lines posted by the actor. Among them:
“We are not going to win in November with this president. On top of that, we won’t win the House, and we’re going to lose the Senate.”
“The dam has broken. We can put our heads in the sand and pray for a miracle in November, or we can speak the truth.”
“Top Democrats — Chuck Schumer, Hakeen Jeffries, Nancy Pelosi — and senators, representatives and other candidates who face losing in November need to ask this president to voluntarily step aside.”
Politico reports that key Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer have subtly endorsed the strategy of distancing House and Senate Democrats from President Joe Biden to safeguard their seats in the upcoming challenging election cycle. On a “Morning Joe” appearance, Pelosi hinted that Biden needs to make a definitive decision about his candidacy, a statement later interpreted by aides as a signal that Democrats could openly suggest Biden withdraw if it benefits their electoral prospects in November. Additionally, Axios has noted that Schumer is conveying to major party donors his openness to a ticket without Biden at the top, indicating a shift in party leadership’s stance as they prepare for the elections.
Democratic strategist James Carville said Tuesday on CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360” that the Democratic Party was “making an idiotic choice” if they stood behind Biden’s presidential candidacy.
“[The] Cook [Political Report] moved six states away from Democrats. I watch somebody’s press conferences, and it reminds me of a book they made me read in college called ‘Ship of Fools.’ A bunch of desperate people sailing into disaster. And you know, I just think that cowards have never beat criminals in a war yet. The way that you beat criminals is not to be cowards. It is to take it directly on. Nothing that I see that remotely changes my mind or changes what I think about where we are,” Carville said.
He added, “I think like Senator Patty Murray, who has been in the Senate over 30 years. And the fact that she’s coming out and said this speaks to him as opposed to what people say in front of a camera. So, I still think I’ll stand by my thing that he won’t run, but if he does, we’re just making an idiotic choice for the future of our country. And I can’t help but believe that. And you know, the proof’s in the pudding. They’re moving states away from us. We are losing we’re not winning. And when we lose, America loses. It’s that simple.”