Former President Barack Obama has been quietly meeting one-on-one with at least nine prospective Democratic 2020 presidential candidates.
Obama has met with Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Obama’s former Vice President Joe Biden, and former Democratic Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, people briefed on the meetings confirmed to Politico.
Those same sources say he is eager to play a role in counseling key players in the Democratic Party and helping to shaping the party’s future.
“The president was generous with his time and advice, and he was excited to talk about the future,” a person familiar with one of the meetings said.
The meetings have been held at Obama’s personal office of the World Wildlife Fund in Washington, D.C., and even though he wants to remain indirectly involved, Obama is not expected to endorse any candidates in the 2020 race until after a nominee emerges, according to the report.
Sources said Obama has been advising those considering a run for the White House that they should continue talking about investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election because it sticks with voters in the long run.
[Trump: Fake news press is ‘desperate to distract’ from strong economy by asking about Russia]
Obama’s office declined to comment on the meetings.
