There’s no doubt, no debate, that Barack Obama was one of the best campaigners ever. This unknown guy who did nothing got himself elected to the Illinois general assembly, then, after doing nothing, elected to the U.S. Senate, then, after doing nothing, elected president. Twice. Of course, that campaigning ability didn’t apply to other Democrats, since the Democrats lost well over 1,100 seats nationwide, including ones Obama campaigned for. He lost the House in 2010 in historic fashion. Then lost the Senate. Quite a few Democrats wanted nothing to do with Obama for the 2012, 2014, and 2016 election seasons, telling him to stay away. Hillary Clinton, who served as his Secretary of State, lost in 2016. And now
Candidates in Obama’s orbit fail to capitalize on personal ties
Former President Obama may be the most popular Democrat, but the candidates in his orbit have all but fizzled in their quest for the White House.
There’s Joe Biden, Obama’s vice president, and his friend, former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. Both Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro served in his administration.
At one point or another in the 2020 campaign, all have touted their relationship with the former president in speeches, campaign videos and town hall appearances.
And it hasn’t made much difference.
“You can talk a lot about Obama, but you’re still not Obama,” said Democratic strategist Eddie Vale. “He was a fantastic candidate, campaigner and orator. No matter how much you interacted with him or praise him now, that still doesn’t give you his innate talents.â€
Interesting. Obama doesn’t even have to endorse them and they still flounder. Because, let’s face it, Joe and Liz are pretty much done, unless the others really flame out.
Early on, a number of senior Obama aides said former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas) was reminiscent of their former boss, inspiring a large movement of support for the Texas Democrat.
“I have never seen a Senate candidate—including Obama in 2004—inspire the sort of enthusiasm that Beto did in his race,†Dan Pfeiffer, Obama’s former senior adviser, wrote about O’Rourke’s Senate bid in 2018. “Not only should Beto run, there is a strong case to make that if he were to do so, he would be one of the strongest candidates in the field.â€
That didn’t work well, eh? Twice for Beto. The Senate run and then for president. Perhaps that is why Obama is not planning on endorsing anyone, because that tends not to work out very well. Sure, he’s had some wins, but, when it counts? Not so much.
Meanwhile, Trump is just erasing Obama’s legacy, killing off his executive orders and such.
