Will Obama intervene in the 2020 race if Bernie Sanders gets too popular?

Former President Barack Obama may use his sway to stop Bernie Sanders from becoming the Democratic nominee if he comes out on top.

Politico reported that Obama suggested privatley he would intervene if he had to, and while his close advisor said he couldn’t confirm Obama said this, he also didn’t deny that this would happen in the event Bernie became the top Democratic vote getter.

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“He hasn’t said that directly to me,” the adviser told Politico. “The only reason I’m hesitating at all is because, yeah, if Bernie were running away with it, I think maybe we would all have to say something. But I don’t think that’s likely. It’s not happening.”

When Politico reached out to Obama’s spokesperson to comment on Sanders, the spokesperson referred the reporter to Obama’s former comments where he stated he would back whomever was the top Democratic vote getter.

“Look, we have a field of very accomplished, very serious and passionate and smart people who have a history of public service, and whoever emerges from the primary process I will work my tail off to make sure that they are the next president,” Obama said in early November, according to his spokesperson.

So far this campaign season, Obama has not weighed in on which candidate he is supporting. He has, however, met up with Democratic primary nominees and has given them advice, according to Politico, and he’s given us a glimpse of how he thinks they’re doing.

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In early November, at a meeting with fundraisers, Obama said the candidates were venturing too far to the left and cautioned them that “the average American doesn’t think we have to completely tear down the system and remake it,” reported The Hill.

Still, Obama’s concerns haven’t risen to the level of intervention against any particular candidate — at least not yet.

A close adviser agreed, telling Politico: “I can’t even imagine with this field how bad it would have to be for him to say something.”

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