White House: Obama Still Neutral in Democratic Primary Battle

[tabasco]

Source: NBC News

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest on Thursday pushed back on a New York Times report that said President Barack Obama privately told Democratic donors the party should begin to coalesce behind Hillary Clinton.

Earnest told reporters that Obama "did not indicate or specify a preference in the race."

"As Democrats move through this competitive primary process, we need to be mindful of the fact that our success in November in electing a Democratic president will depend on the commitment and ability of the Democratic party to come together behind our nominee," he said.

The New York Times reported Thursday that Obama told donors Bernie Sanders' campaign is nearing its end and Democrats should begin preparing for Clinton's general election run. Clinton needs just 35 percent of the remaining delegates to clinch the nomination, according to an NBC News count, after sweeping five Democratic primaries on Tuesday.

Read more: http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/white-house-obama-still-neutral-democratic-primary-battle-n540966

[Skwmom]

1. Does President Obama think we have short memories.

http://www.amny.com/news/elections/former-white-house-press-secretary-jay-carney-says-president-obama-supports-hillary-clinton-1.11459905

[Trust Buster]

2. That's their official position. Here's the truth.

President Obama is chomping at the bit to hit the stump for Hillary to preserve his legacy and to pay back the Republicans for all their obstruction. If there's anyone that can motivate the base for this fall's election, it's President Obama. He cannot begin until the presumptive nominee has been decided. If you recall, he met with Sanders at the White House many weeks ago. It would be naive not to think that he talked turkey with Sanders regarding this very issue. Sooner or later, perhaps after the New York primary, Sanders will admit the obvious. Doesn't mean he can't continue to campaign for his policies but he'll have to tip his hat to Hillary in due time.

[JonLeibowitz]

3. All speculation, of course. n/t

[Trust Buster]

4. Logical speculation.

[scscholar]

5. Why only after?

Why not before to ensure that the most electable person wins? He should be for the party instead of some random person that is picked.

[Trust Buster]

6. Hillary wants to build on his legacy. Sanders wants to rip it up and start over.

Hillary has locked the nomination down in his mind. Traditionally, President's don't stump for an "any of the above" ticket.

[JDPriestly]

15. Please provide a link to any statement by Sanders that he wants to rip up Obama's legacy and

start over. To the contrary, Sanders has said he wants to carry Obama's legacy forward and improve on it.

Please provide a link to back up that assertion. There is nothing to it. Could not be further from the truth.

Hillary wants to change Obama's mission of peace to one of war.

[SpartanDem]

22. That's the rules

Obviously it's not a written one, but it is considered highly improper for a the president to play favorites until their is a clear nominee.

[flamingdem]

7. This makes no sense. Bernie is running to win on certain values and policy ideas

This means he's not just paving the path for Clinton.

It's a unique chance that he has to represent the people silenced by the system, those with little power.

He'd let those people down to bend over so Obama could stump for Hillary.

After the convention Obama can stump all he wants.

[Trust Buster]

8. The President is waiting to stump for Hillary and stick it to the Republicans.

He's our most potent weapon. Feel free to vote for Sanders.

[flamingdem]

9. I think there is time to respect Bernie's candidacy

and have Obama stump for Hillary.

Do you think not?

Keep in mind that individuals scraped their wallets to support Bernie. That's really the way
things should be. They need to be rewarded with Bernie's full force until the end.

I say this assuming we've got November regardless of who we run. If I was less sure,
I'd be more paranoid and want Obama in sooner.

[Trust Buster]

10. I agree. I said in an above post that Sanders will continue to campaign for his agenda.

But, somewhere down the not so distant road, he'll have to acknowledge that Hillary is the presumptive nominee so that the President is free to work his stump magic. He's our most potent weapon. We cannot have him in moth balls until mid-summer.

[flamingdem]

11. I guess that's true. Bernie supports Obama for the most part

and has said they are friends. Then he must be planning to complete certain primaries then conceding in some fashion. However, he didn't sound that way today.

Hmm. This is curious, wonder what is being said behind closed doors. Maybe it's just that Bernie has to be strong for a while longer, for himself and his supporters, he really doesn't have a way out and he likes campaigning.

[JDPriestly]

16. We in California do not vote until June 7. We have something like 456 delegates to elect.

Please don't steal our opportunity to vote from us.

Hillary's best states are behind her. Sanders' best states are yet to come.

Obama knows this.

California is the most diverse state in the union I feel certain. No race is really a majority here.

I cannot think of any way to discriminate against voters who are in the minority in the country as a whole than to call the primary contest before California has voted.

Please stop discriminating against Californians.

We are not just the most diverse state but probably the most tolerant when it comes to issues like same-sex marriage, race, religion, etc.

Let us have our say.

Thank you.

Don't discriminate against one of the most diverse if not the most diverse state in the nation.

[flamingdem]

18. Haha I'm a Californian too, and I'll vote for Bernie

but the polls are not pretty, even in California. I'm still supporting Bernie but like I said he's a friend of Obama, a supporter of the Democratic party and process. He will at some point do what's best for the party and frankly that's why I love him. I hated Nader.

[Eric J in MN]

12. Obama made those remarks at a fundraiser. He's not waiting until after convention to fundraise. NT

NT

[Trust Buster]

13. I'm talking about actively campaigning PUBLICLY.

[Eric J in MN]

14. Obama can give public speeches

...in which he discusses his administration's accomplishments, criticizes Donald Trump, and praises Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders.

He can even devote more time to praising Clinton than Sanders.

[JDPriestly]

17. As I said above, California does not vote until June 7.

We would like to have our say.

Many Californians will not vote for any candidate who deprives us of our right to have a say in the primary. We have a huge number of delegates to elect, many more than Hillary's current lead.

Don't count us out.

We are one of the most diverse if not the most diverse state in the union in terms of sexual orientation, race, religion and just about every aspect of life. Let us vote.

Don't discriminate against us.

[Eric J in MN]

19. I want Bernie Sanders to keep campaigning until after California votes. NT

NT

[LiberalElite]

21. "scraped" ? We're still donating to Bernie & willl continue to the end which is months away nt

[hopemountain]

20. yours is one scenario

we have no idea what president obama and bernie discussed. i have my own thoughts but i will not be so bold as to "speculate" publicly on this forum. don't want to jinx the ending

[greymouse]

23. the Times has been lying its head off

lately, so we have no idea what anyone said. Nor do I care who Obama supports.