Former President Barack Obama remains the Democratic Party's most popular figure, and despite keeping a lower public profile since leaving office, he continues to wield significant influence as the party looks toward the 2028 presidential election, Axios reported.
That influence was on display at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center last month, which drew many Democrats considering presidential bids. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, widely viewed as a potential top-tier candidate, said he was "literally tearing up" while visiting the center.
Obama's standing within the party also remains remarkably strong. A CNN poll last month found that 96% of Democrats view him favorably, while a University of Massachusetts Lowell/YouGov poll found he is more popular than Taylor Swift.
Although Obama has repeatedly said he prefers to work behind the scenes, Axios reported that he has spoken with numerous potential 2028 candidates, much as he did during the 2020 election cycle.
"I strongly believe that my highest and best use now is to help find the next set of leaders who are going to move us forward," he told The New Yorker. "The very best leaders can tap into the zeitgeist of the moment."
The former president has met with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, telling The New Yorker he is focused on developing substantive policy proposals, particularly on technology.
"If we do not have an agenda for that, then I think some of the populist impulses that have been there already can go in all kinds of stray directions," he said.
Obama has also remained influential in recent Democratic presidential campaigns. He made clear his preference for Hillary Clinton as his successor in 2016, helped unite the party behind Joe Biden in 2020 and, according to Axios, worked to persuade Biden to end his reelection campaign after his poor debate performance against Donald Trump in 2024.
According to Axios, Obama recognizes that the outcome of the 2028 election could shape his own legacy and has wrestled with how to interpret Trump's return to the presidency.