Democrats salivate over Obama coming off sidelines

The decision by Bernie SandersBernie SandersDrugmaker caps insulin costs at to help diabetes patients during pandemic The Hill's Campaign Report: Wisconsin votes despite coronavirus pandemic Sen. Brown endorses Biden for president MORE to suspend his campaign means former President Obama is about to get back into the political spotlight.

Sources close to Obama and Biden say the two men have spoken “quite frequently,” as one put it, in recent days as Biden pivots to the general election. Obama has also spoken to Sanders in recent days, according to two sources with knowledge of the conversations.

The former president has stayed out of the Democratic primary, but sources say he is anxious to endorse his former vice president, Joe BidenJoe BidenTrump shakes up WH communications team The Hill's Campaign Report: Wisconsin votes despite coronavirus pandemic The Intercept's Ryan Grim says Cuomo is winning over critics MORE, and become an active player in the general election campaign against President TrumpDonald John TrumpCDC updates website to remove dosage guidance on drug touted by Trump Trump says he'd like economy to reopen 'with a big bang' but acknowledges it may be limited Graham backs Trump, vows no money for WHO in next funding bill MORE.

Democrats across the country are also ready for his entry.

“IT IS TIME,” Doug Landry, a former Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonTrump, Biden set for tight battle in Florida We need to be 'One America,' the polling says — and the politicians should listen Poll shows Biden with 6-point edge on Trump in Florida MORE aide, wrote Wednesday, tweeting a cartoon image of Obama as superman. “RELEASE THE SUPER SURROGATE.”

Sources close to the former president is ready, but that he and Biden are also conscious of the coronavirus pandemic dominating the country and changing the nature of politics.

Biden actually spoke by phone with Trump on Monday to discuss the pandemic, and Sanders made it clear that the spreading virus was one reason he ended his campaign on Wednesday despite the urgings of some supporters to continue.

“He’s eager to go,” said one source close to Obama. “He’s been waiting for this election for almost four years.”

The pandemic also affects the basics of campaigning. Large rallies and handshakes are impossible, and Biden has been working for the last several weeks from his basement recreation room.

“Like everyone else, Obama is going to have to appear on video or on television but the biggest question is how?” one source said. “That’s all being ironed out.”

Sources on both sides said they expect Obama —and former first lady Michelle ObamaMichelle LeVaughn Robinson ObamaMichelle Obama encourages in-person Wisconsin voters to 'prioritize' safety Lizzo donates lunch to hospital workers battling coronavirus Biden could be picking the next president: VP choice more important than ever MORE—to begin to appear in upcoming virtual fundraisers to help build excitement around Biden’s campaign and activate some bundlers who re... (Read more)

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