President Biden has reportedly compared himself to former President Obama in private, revealing a years-long 'rivalry' between the two men. According to sources, Biden has expressed sentiments like 'Obama would be jealous' when discussing his perceived accomplishments. Some of Biden's aides have voiced concerns that Obama and his team did not fully appreciate Biden's experience in foreign policy, Congress, and political interactions, and were disrespectful towards him.
A former Biden aide mentioned that there was a belief among Obama's team that Biden would not be organized enough to execute the role of president effectively. Additionally, there have been complaints about 'Obama people' who seem to prioritize their own interests over supporting Biden.
Reports suggest that Biden's staff often distances themselves from Obama's strategies, indicating a divergence in approaches. The disagreements between Biden and Obama date back over a decade, with past books and interviews highlighting significant policy conflicts between the two.
An excerpt from a book revealed a disagreement between Obama and Biden regarding the response to Russia's invasion of Crimea. Biden reportedly advocated for a stronger stance, while Obama disagreed but appointed Biden as an effective ambassador to Ukraine during the crisis.
Despite these reports, White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates denied any strained relationship between Biden and Obama. Bates emphasized that Biden does not make negative comments about Obama in private and highlighted the close 'personal bond' between the two leaders. He stated that Biden and Obama largely agree on key issues facing the country.
Bates also mentioned that Obama and Biden have a strong mutual support system, with many Obama-Biden administration alumni backing Biden's leadership and agenda. The spokesperson for the Office of President Barack Obama confirmed that the Obama Alumni Association hosted an event in support of Biden's re-election campaign, demonstrating a united front among the Obama and Biden camps.
