Obama warns 2020 contenders about leaning too far left
WASHINGTON — Former President Barack Obama offered an unusual warning to the Democratic primary field Friday evening, cautioning the candidates not to move too far to the left in their policy proposals, even as he sought to reassure a party establishment worried about the electoral strength of their historically large primary field.
Yet, he also raised concerns about some of the liberal ideas being promoted by some candidates, citing health care and immigration as issues where the proposals may have gone further than public opinion. The comments marked an extraordinary entrance into the primary contest by the former president, who has been careful to avoid even the appearance of influencing the direction of the race.
Story continuesAcknowledging that candidates must “push past” his achievements, Obama urged his party’s candidates not to push too far, as he urged them to adopt a message that would allow them to compete in all corners of country. They question whether Biden has the ability to compete in a multistate primary campaign, fret about Sanders’ and Warren’s viability in the general election and remain skeptical that Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, can broaden his appeal beyond white voters.
“If you talk to the voters they don’t feel the need for another candidate,” said Kathy Sullivan, the former chairwoman of the Democratic Party in New Hampshire. “We haven’t been sitting around in New Hampshire saying we need a hero to come and rescue us.
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