WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama welcomed Bernie Sanders to the White House on Wednesday, but he wasn't necessarily feeling the Bern.
The long-discussed meeting between the sitting president and his sometime critic was a moment for the president to display public neutrality in the heated and unexpectedly tight primary race to replace him — refuting suggestions that he's in the can for Sanders' rival Hillary Clinton. For Sanders, it was a chance to show he's got some sway with a president still popular among Democrats.
'Feel the Bern' is a slogan used by the Sanders campaign on signs, car magnets, coffee mugs and other campaign tchotchkes.
But the White House isn't suggesting Obama and Sanders are kindred spirits, or even close political allies. White House officials says the men lack much of a personal relationship and have markedly different approaches to politics. The president this week declared bluntly he doesn't see Sanders' upstart campaign as a reboot of his own battle against Clinton in 2008. Obama allies bristle at comparisons between Sanders and the president.
Their reaction is reminder that even as Obama watches the nomination battle from a distance in Washington, he is personally tied to the outcome. Obama remains focused on ensuring a Democrat wins the White House and on protecting his legacy. Increasingly, it appears, he sees Clinton as his best hope.
With the Iowa caucuses just days away, Obama recently showered praise on Clinton and threw some cold water on the Sanders. The president cast Clinton as ready to go on Day One, and Sanders as a compelling political star, but also a "bright, shiny object" in need of some more scrutiny.
White House officials say the comments were a as much a reflection of Obama's high regard for Clinton, as any discomfort with Sanders. They reflected the reality of the relationship between the two men — there isn't much there.
Sanders' visit to the Oval Office will be his first extended meeting with the president since becoming a leading contender.
The White House says Sanders and Obama first discussed the meeting at a White House holiday party in late December and aides have been working on scheduling it since.
The session will be private meeting, no photos or statements or formal agenda.
The visit was one of several trips to the Obama White House for Sanders, typically for large, social events or policy rollouts. But the senator hasn't been a close ally or regular staple in strategy meetings.
That's a sharp contrast to Obama's relationship with Clinton — which has been both deep and complicated. As his Secretary of State Obama has worked closely with Clinton, spent hours on Air Force One, shared personal moments and some policy clashes. Even since leaving her post, Obama has met privately with Clinton periodically, often for lunches at the White House.
On Wednesday, Obama is slated to meet with Sanders before eating lunch with Vice President Joe Biden.
