After reports that Hillary Clinton is privately discouraging Vice President Joe Biden from jumping into the race, the White House Thursday warned all presidential candidates that the best strategy is to focus on their own campaigns.
“At this early stage in the race, candidates are wise to not be worried about what other potential candidates are doing,” Earnest said, noting that he’s complimented the Clinton campaign for doing so in the past.
Based on the Clinton campaign’s public comments, Earnest praised their willingness “out of respect for the vice president” to give him the room to make the decision.
Draft Biden organizers are at the Democratic National Committee summer meeting this week in Minneapolis passing out candy bars with the slogan, “Ridin’ with Biden” on them and pressing committee members to keep an open mind about a Biden presidential candidacy.
When asked if President Obama supports that message, Earnest said only that it’s up to individual Democrats across the country to decide who they wants as their nominee.
“The president is going to give Vice President Biden as much time and space he needs to make this personal decision, and ultimately it will be up to not just every member of the DNC, but every voter in a primary [state] to make a decision about who they would like to support,” he said.
Earnest repeated what has now become a refrain when asked if Obama will make a choice between Biden and Clinton during the primary stages.
“The president will participate in the Illinois Democratic primary and he will cast a vote, but ultimately everyone is going to have to make up their own mind in this regard,” he said.
