2020 Election: Joe Biden is a candidate for Obama's legacy. The problem: it's not Obama.

Joe Biden and Barack Obama had a difficult start in 2007, but they managed to build mutual respect and good working relationships over the next eight years.

Obama expressed his appreciation at the end of his second term by rewarding Biden with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award possible. When Biden tells friendly crowds stories about their relationships, the former vice president does his best to qualify the ex-president of "Barack", to better personalize their relationship and to help them. accentuate their warm familiarity.

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"I'm a Obama-Biden Democrat, man. And I'm proud of it, "Biden told the press earlier this month.

Yet, despite its legitimate claim to be the flag bearer of President Obama's legacy, Biden faces a fundamental challenge as he looks for the nomination of his party at the White House: convincing the coalition diverse and young who elected Obama twice the old white man is the right person to wear the coat.

For Biden and his advisers, age and race are inferior to the political realities of his special relationship with Obama. The question is whether primary voters will see the same thing, especially when the former president said he would remain neutral in an overcrowded democratic field filled with diverse and dynamic candidates.

David Axelrod, a senior adviser to President Obama, said that the former president's failure to support his former vice president should not be a surprise nor be seen as a slight comment.

"The custom for past presidents is not to support presidents. I find it rather disconcerting to expect him to do it, "said Axelrod, adding that Obama's belief was that" people should compete, the strongest candidate will emerge ".

Axelrod described the two as "real friends. This is not folklore. Unlike almost every other vice-president and president, these guys have come together in eight years. "

One thing is certain: Obama's political apparatus is not united behind Biden, whose announcement of the campaign comes after more than 20 other candidates have applied.

The restricted circle of Obama advisers did not join any campaign. But other Democratic candidates have hung up the highest talent in the Obama campaign and exploited his fundraising prowess.

Although Biden's campaign manager, Greg Schultz, has led Obama's campaign efforts in the state of Ohio, Beto O. Rourke hired Jennifer O Malley. Dillon, Obama's assistant campaign manager in 2012, and benefited from the support of Paul Tewes, director of the 2008 Obama campaign in the Iowa of the nation. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren signed Obama Rospars, chief digital strategist for Obama in 2008 and 2012, and Emily Parcell, political director of the Obama caucus team in Iowa in 2008. Several senior executives from Obama administration contributed to Pete Buttigieg.

In Florida's flagship state, it's a similar story. Steve Schale, who helped Obama win two wins as state director in 2008 and senior advisor in 2012, plays the role of senior advisor for the Biden campaign. California Senator Kamala Harris has received support from Kirk Wagar, Obama's largest fundraiser in the state, who has been appointed ambassador to Singapore by Obama. The assistant director of the 2008 Obama campaign in Florida and the state director in 2012, Ashley Walker, remain neutral.

"I do not think there is one flag bearer for the Obama legacy at this primary. Several candidates could carry this title, "said Ben LaBolt, former spokesman for Obama's re-election campaign.

"A big question that weighs on the first is: is it a moment for the longest experience in history or is it a moment for generational change within the party and a new vision at the within the party, "said LaBolt, pointing out that" even President Obama has spoken of letting this moment be a good time for generational change and for others to lead and advance through the party and intensify. I do not think it will be a very clean shot if he tries to pretend he is the sole purveyor of his legacy. "

The generational split is clear in a poll February POLITICO / Morning Consult show that Biden is the weakest with voters under the age of 30. But, according to the poll, his age – he'll be 78 on the next day of the inauguration – is not a deadly problem for him among Democrats, with 30% agreeing that & # 39; He is "too old to run for president" while 58% disagreed.

An Obama campaign veteran who had discussed the possibility of working with Biden's campaign said that there was a gap between former Obama staff members.

"Many of us do not want Joe to start. His time is up and this is not the time, "said the agent. "Obama's true legacy is about the future, not the past. And if he shows up, he'll put that legacy to the test in a Democratic primary where guys like Bernie [Sanders] we will take pictures and tarnish this legacy … We want Joe to move away at sunset. "

Nevertheless, the nostalgia of the White House of Obama during the time of Trump is palpable among Democrats. Not only do the progressives and white centrists miss the Obama era "without tragedy," but African Americans revere the first black president and pass on some of that loyalty to his loyal winger.

Looking at the early states' schedule, this support from black voters could be a big boost for Biden in South Carolina, where 60% of the primary electorate is black. South Carolina Representative James Clyburn, the highest-ranked African-American Congressman, has approved no candidate for 2020, but is a Biden ally who speaks favorably of him.

"You can not enter blacks here without seeing a picture of Obama on the wall and in some of them Biden is in the background. That makes a difference, "said Kendall Corley, former director of Obama in South Carolina in 2008 and 2012, who was again in negotiations to work for Biden in the state.

"There is a bit of love for Joe Biden," he said, "and that's because of Barack Obama and the way he supported him." remember.