Barack Obama reportedly told Joe Biden about running in 2020: "you don't have to do this, Joe."
Former President Obama reportedly cautioned his close friend Joe Biden about running for president in 2020, telling him, "You don't have to do this, Joe, you really don't."
The New York Times notes: "The two men spoke at least a half dozen times before Mr. Biden decided to run, and Mr. Obama took pains to cast his doubts about the campaign in personal terms. 'You don't have to do this, Joe, you really don't,' Mr. Obama told Mr. Biden earlier this year, according to a person familiar with the exchange."
However, Biden reportedly responded that he felt it was his duty to try and defeat President Trump, and Obama has since offered the former vice president advice, including bringing younger aides into the campaign.
Biden is still leading the packed field of Democratic presidential candidates in recent tracking polls and that has made him one of President Trump's favorite targets.
In one tweet, Trump wrote: "Joe Biden is a reclamation project. Some things are just not salvageable. China and other countries that ripped us off for years are begging for him. He deserted our military, our law enforcement and our healthcare. Added more debt than all other Presidents combined. Won't win!"
