Obama’s influence controls the path of the Democratic Party towards the 2028 elections

A report by Axios revealed the continued widespread influence of former US President Barack Obama within the corridors of the Democratic Party, where he still represents the strongest and most popular figure, with a great ability to play the role of “kingmaker” in the presidential elections scheduled for 2028 whenever he decides to do so.

The report indicated that Obama’s actual leadership of the party was clearly evident during the past month, when the most prominent aspirants to run for the presidency in 2028, along with rising Democratic leaders, flocked to Chicago on June 19 to celebrate the opening of the “Obama Presidential Center.”

This gathering reflected the extent of emotional attachment to Obama, as California Governor Gavin Newsom said that he cried emotionally during his tour of the center.

The latest opinion polls show Obama’s absolute dominance over the grassroots; A CNN poll last June showed that 96% of Democrats view him positively, compared to only 71% for President Joe Biden. His popularity even surpassed pop star Taylor Swift in another poll conducted by the University of Massachusetts.

The role of the “coach” and behind the scenes

On the tactical level, Obama prefers to work behind the scenes to guide the party away from the Trump era, describing his role in recent media statements as moving from “player to coach.” This role includes providing constant advice to potential candidates, and intervening to shape party policies, such as his recent efforts to formulate a balanced AI policy to avoid sliding towards ill-considered populist policies.

The former president’s influence extends to leave his mark on the style of some Democratic politicians. Prominent leaders like Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg embrace his rhetoric. Party candidates facing fierce electoral competition also resort to repeatedly including his images in their advertising campaigns to boost their chances.

Historical influence and cultural presence

Historically, Obama has played a pivotal role in determining the course of the Democratic candidates since the end of his term, starting with his preference for Hillary Clinton in 2016, through unifying the party behind Biden in 2020, all the way to his recent participation in the efforts of the party leaders to convince Biden to withdraw from the 2024 race following his faltering performance in the presidential debate.

In addition to his political activity, Obama maintains his cultural presence as part of his broader strategy for influence, whether by working on producing a satirical comedy series for the HBO network on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, or through his prominent presence at major sporting events and his wide respect among young stars.

The report concludes by emphasizing that Obama is fully aware that the results of the 2028 elections will play a decisive role in shaping the features of his political legacy, especially in light of the stark contrast between his era and the era of his successor, Donald Trump, which he documented in his presidential memoirs, which considered Trump’s rise and influence a pivotal turning point in the American political scene whose repercussions are still continuing.