Obama Leads Democratic Campaigns as Biden Stays on Sidelines

President Barack Obama has taken center stage in Democrats' key political battles, from redistricting efforts to gubernatorial races, while former President Joe Biden has stayed away from many of the party's biggest fights since leaving office.

"We went through an election in Virginia that the Democrats invested a lot of money in, and we did not see Joe Biden once to the best of my recollection," Virginia GOP Chair Jeff Ryer told Fox News Digital. He referred to Obama's heavy campaigning for the Democrat-backed redistricting referendum, later struck down by the Virginia Supreme Court. "We did, on the other hand, see Barack Obama on television ad after television ad. During the Democrats’ $80 million campaign, he was clearly the leader of it."

Biden's absence from several major Democratic campaigns has prompted Republican claims that the party is moving on from him.

"Joe Biden is becoming like the ninth season of ‘Dallas.’ It was all a dream," Ryer said, alluding to the CBS show's infamous plot twist where Season 9 events were erased.

Democratic strategist Andrea Riccio told Fox News Digital that Obama's role shows his enduring popularity. "I think there's a lot of nostalgia for the Obama presidency," she said. "I do think there's a once-in-a-generation excitement around him that just hasn't been replicated by other presidents, so I can understand why he's sought after right now."

Riccio said Democrats still feel the sting of their 2024 presidential loss and lack a clear leader. "Obama is one of the best surrogates" available, she added.

This week, Obama visited Texas to meet Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa and Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico. Talarico is polling strongly against Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas and Attorney General Ken Paxton. Black voter turnout will prove vital for Talarico, and Obama could help drive it this fall.

Fox News contributor Jessica Tarlov, a Democratic strategist, said Talarico would avoid campaigning with Biden. "A lot of what he is politically involves distancing himself from the Biden administration," she said. "He's been very open about mistakes that were made in the Biden administration, especially vis-à-vis immigration. He wants to represent Texas. So, obviously, the border is a really big deal there."

Tarlov noted Obama's greater popularity. "I think Biden will go where people want him to, and is taking much more of, like, the Nancy Pelosi approach, which is, 'if you want me, I'm there for you. If you don't, I totally get it,'" she said. "And Obama's, obviously, fielding requests for those that want him, and there are going to be lots of candidates that don't want Obama on the trail with him. But he makes a lot of sense for someone like James Talarico, especially because he's a millennial and kind of grew up on Obama."

Tarlov added that California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a strong Biden defender, would have invited him for the state's redistricting push if possible. Instead, Obama led Democrats' efforts in California and Virginia with ads to boost voter support. Biden stayed silent.

Last November, amid governors' races in Virginia and New Jersey, Obama rallied for now-Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey and Democratic Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger. Biden had endorsed both in past congressional races but skipped the trail.

Democratic strategist James Carville told Fox News Digital that Biden, diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer last May, lacks Obama's energy and youth.

Biden remains active in spots. On May 1, he endorsed Keisha Lance Bottoms in Georgia's gubernatorial primary. Days later, he backed former aide Dan Koh in Massachusetts’ 6th Congressional District. In April, he addressed the Delaware Democratic Party's annual First State Dinner. In February, he spoke at a South Carolina Democratic Party dinner marking six years since his primary win there, key to his general election victory.

A Biden insider told Fox News Digital more appearances are planned this cycle. An RNC spokesperson said the committee welcomes Biden's rising involvement.