President Biden brings in a heavy hitter for support….
His old boss…..
Yes, Barack Obama was there.
State dinners are best known as bear hugs for overseas allies, and Thursday’s honoree was Kenya. But the sixth state dinner of President Biden’s term was designed to clutch domestic allies — not the least of them Mr. Obama, whose father was Kenyan — even tighter as the president makes the long slog toward November.
The 500-person event, held on the South Lawn of the White House on a humid May evening, was attended by dozens of influential Kenyans, of course. The list included President William Ruto of Kenya and his wife, Rachel, along with three of his daughters. It also included some of the country’s billionaires, like James Mwangi, the chief executive of the global banking conglomerate Equity Group Holdings Limited.
“We share a strong respect for the history that connects us together,” Mr. Biden said to his guests during a toast. He quoted from a speech given by President Jimmy Carter, who honored Kenya with a state dinner in 1980: “Neighbors do not share a border but share beliefs.”
But the evening, along with the guest list, was just as notable for what it said about Mr. Biden’s current political obstacles. Aside from Mr. Obama — the former president was not on the initial guest list published by the White House, and he departed before Mr. Biden’s speech — the list name-checked the people Mr. Biden will want to bring closer into the fold in the months ahead. The lineup included elected officials in several battleground states, influential Black political operatives, and powerful philanthropists, like Melinda French Gates…..
top image…Former President Barack Obama was not on the initial guest list published by the White House.Credit…Haiyun Jiang for The New York Times
bottom image…Former President Bill Clinton is one of the people President Biden is relying on for support, advice and fund-raising in this year’s election.Credit…Haiyun Jiang for The New York Times