Obama reportedly told Biden's campaign staff not to let him 'embarrass himself'

Former President Barack Obama isn't yet sporting a Biden 2020 hat, but that doesn't mean he isn't paying attention to his former vice president's campaign.

Although Obama has gone to great lengths to not endorse an individual in the 2020 Democratic primaries, he has reportedly been more involved in Biden's camp than he's let on. Obama has gone so far as to request briefings with Biden's team to discuss strategy, including one meeting before Biden announced his candidacy in April, reports The New York Times. In some of his meetings with Biden and Co., Obama has tried to emphasize the importance of Biden expanding his inner circle with younger voices, reportedly telling Biden his advisers are too old and out of touch.

Despite his watchful eye, Obama has been wary of Biden seeking the nomination. At one point before Biden entered the race, Obama reportedly said: "You don't have to do this, Joe, you really don't." Biden, who benched himself during the 2016 election, responded by saying he couldn't miss another shot to beat President Trump.

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In March, Obama reportedly told Biden's advisers that they needed to make sure the former Vice President didn't "embarrass himself" or "damage his legacy." Coming from Biden's supposed best friend, that one's gotta hurt. Read it at The New York Times.