Jen Psaki: Why Barack and Bill are right to stay quiet — for now

The savvy strategic silence of Obama and Clinton

VIEW IN BROWSER MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news with Jen Psaki VIEW IN BROWSER MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news with Jen Psaki Saturday, July 13, 2024 Where are Obama and Clinton? By Jen Psaki While former President Barack Obama did post on X in the days following the first presidential debate and former President Bill Clinton did as well, both Democratic leaders have largely remained out of the spotlight.   So where have they been?   Exactly where they should be right now: behind the scenes, acting as sounding boards with other party leaders like former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, donors and members of Congress.   Because while both Obama and Clinton are widely respected elder statesmen, there are several reasons why they can't just put an end to the re-election drama surrounding President Joe Biden and tell the party who should be the nominee in August.   For one thing, the Democratic Party — including party insiders — do not like being told what to do (most of the time). Hillary Clinton didn't win the nomination in 2008 even though she had the strong endorsement of her husband. And the progressive wing of the party didn't love it when Obama came close to endorsing Clinton during the primary process in 2016.   A clear and unified statement could certainly tamp down some of the speculation about whether the party should take a different route for the nominee — and that uncertainty is one of the biggest challenges right now. But while both men are generational talents as politicians, even Obama has been out of the electoral game for 12 years. County, district and state maps as well as voter outreach strategies have changed a lot since then.   Obama and Clinton swooping in to tell everyone what to do could backfire in other ways as well. As imperfect (to put it mildly) as this moment is in the Democratic Party, it's important that any debate within the party is conducted fairly and legitimately.   I don't know what is going to happen, and with every day that passes it feels more likely Biden will hold on. But once a final decision is made, Democrats will need all the party unity they can muster. And that means Obama and Clinton are smart to wait until the question is settled to weigh in. That's the moment when they can maximize their collective impact. This may happen next week, or the week after, or maybe at the convention. But once it does happen, the focus can return back to Donald Trump and the true threat America is still facing.   Clinton and Obama remain two of the most popular politicians in the Democratic Party, and their voices will be needed on the campaign trail.   Read more exclusive insights from Jen Psaki here. And tune into "Inside with Jen Psaki" Mondays at 8 p.m. ET, and Sundays at 12 p.m. ET on MSNBC. TOP STORIES RYAN TEAGUE BECKWITH Project 2025 wants to criminalize porn. The reasons why are even worse. The far-right game plan for a second Trump term defines pornography to include "transgender ideology." Read more.  CLARISSA-JAN LIM Judge dismisses Rudy Giuliani's Chapter 11 bankruptcy case Creditors have accused the disgraced lawyer of hiding assets and using bankruptcy proceedings to avoid paying up. Read more. REP. JOYCE BEATTY Black Americans have every reason to vote for Biden and none to vote for Trump The fight for freedom is once again at our doorstep, and we cannot afford to stay home when oppression knocks on our door. Read more.  LISA RUBIN The part of Trump's new brief that could knock out his hush money conviction A new brief shows how easily Trump can claim virtually any conduct is official — and immune from prosecution. But its impact on evidence is the true danger for democracy. Read more.         TOP VIDEOS ANDREA MITCHELL REPORTS James Carville: Democrats are doing 'exactly what Donald Trump' wants WATCH NOW DEADLINE WHITE HOUSE Vice President Kamala Harris turns up the heat as Trump sees her as more of a political threat WATCH NOW ALL IN See Chris and Joy react to Biden campaign rally in Michigan: 'Came alive' WATCH NOW THE REIDOUT 'Elected Democrats need to shut up': D.C. insiders slammed as Biden voters declare 'debate is over' WATCH NOW MORE FROM MSNBC Today, South Carolina Representative Jim Clyburn joins Reverend Al Sharpton to discuss President Biden's candidacy and the upcoming election. Watch PoliticsNation today at 5 p.m. ET on MSNBC.  Monday, Lester Holt sits down with President Joe Biden in an exclusive one-on-one interview. Watch a preview on NBC Nightly News, and then the full unedited interview in a primetime special at 9 p.m. ET on NBC and NBC News Now. MSNBC INSIGHTS Have you ever wanted to provide MSNBC with your opinion about their TV programs, documentaries, and digital products, such as MSNBC.com, newsletters, and podcasts? Now is your chance! Join the MSNBC Insights Community. This weekend on MSNBC SATURDAY MSNBC's "PoliticsNation" at 5pm ET: Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.)… Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson MSNBC's "The Saturday Show" at 6pm ET:Rep. Steve Horsford (D-Nev.)… Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.)… Fmr. Gov. of Vermont Howard Dean… Ashley Etienne SUNDAY MSNBC's "The Weekend" at 8am ET: Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.)… Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul… Biden campaign principal deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks MSNBC's "Inside with Jen Psaki" at 12pm ET: Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)… Rev. Al Sharpton… Symone Sanders-Townsend *Subject to change 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 PRIVACY | CONTACT | UNSUBSCRIBE PRIVACY | CONTACT | UNSUBSCRIBE