New report claims Obama tried to talk a 2020 candidate out of running

With more than twenty eager democrats still vying for the 2020 nomination, there has been plenty of speculation as to who has the wherewithal to make it to the finish line.

The democratic party is simply eating itself alive in their quest for the oval office, with a number of candidates having already dropped from the race, and low-polling progressives such as Beto O’Rourke being forced to reinvent their public image twice now in an attempt to boost his public reach.

At the top of the heap, however, is former Vice President Joe Biden, who this week suffered a popularity slip in Iowa.  This unexpected downturn has many within the party wondering if “Sleepy Joe” has what it takes.

As it turns out, former President Barack Obama himself wasn’t so sure either…and that was months ago.

“You don’t have to do this, Joe, you really don’t,” Obama told Biden before the 76-year-old formally launched his campaign in April, according to the New York Times.

“Mr. Biden — who thinks he could have defeated Donald Trump four years ago — responded by telling Mr. Obama he could never forgive himself if he turned down a second shot at Mr. Trump,” the Times reports.

The Times states Obama huddled with top Biden aides in March to implore they insure that the former vice president does not “damage his legacy” or “embarrass himself.”

As Biden continues to struggle with the length and scope of campaign at his advanced age, this anti-endorsement by Barack Obama certainly isn’t going to sit well with the already-rattled democratic base.