Obama takes veiled shot at Warren and Sanders, warns 2020 Dems Americans don’t want to ‘tear down the system’

Social media users have hit out against former US president Barack Obama after he warned the party not to drift “too far left”

Former President Barack Obama has warned the Democratic field of White House presidential hopefuls not to veer too far to the left, a move he said would alienate many who would otherwise be open to voting for the party’s nominee next year.

Though Mr Obama did not mention anyone by name, the message delivered before a room of Democratic donors in Washington was a clear word of caution about the candidacies of Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders.

The two have called for massive structural changes – and in Sen Sanders’ case “revolution” – that would dramatically alter the role of government in people’s lives.

Former President Barack Obama. Picture: AFP

The centrist wing of the party has warned for months that a far-left nominee could alienate moderate Republicans and independent voters needed to oust President Donald Trump.

“The average American doesn’t think we have to completely tear down the system and remake it. And I think it’s important for us not to lose sight of that,” Obama said. “There are a lot of persuadable voters and there are a lot of Democrats out there who just want to see things make sense. They just don’t want to see crazy stuff. They want to see things a little more fair, they want to see things a little more just. And how we approach that I think will be important.”

US Senator Elizabeth Warren, Democrat of Massachusetts. Picture: AFP

Democratic presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders. Picture: AP

Not everyone on Twitter was thrilled with his opinion.

I campaigned for Obama in 2008 but he was a great disappointment as president. People who had the bad luck to get sick are being sued because they can't pay their medical bills, the world is on fire, wealth inequity has reached obscene levels, but we let's not rock the boat.

— I Have No Opinion on That (@Tweety_Fingers) November 16, 2019

Is it #toofarleft to expect that we the America that so many fought and died for shouldn't be held at gunpoint by the NRA?

This was last night in Pleasantville, NJ, less than 48 hours after the school shooting in #santaclarita. #saturdaymorningpic.twitter.com/hNnPfW3jTl

— Holly Figueroa O'Reilly (@AynRandPaulRyan) November 16, 2019

So according to Barack Obama I'm #toofarleft just because I believe in Medicare for All, a Green New Deal, and that marriage should be between one woman and a troupe of BDSM enthusiast pansexual polyamorous mimes, ok boomer

— Kate Willett (@katewillett) November 16, 2019

I’m #TooFarLeft because I believe billionaires should pay their fair share of taxes.

I’m #TooFarLeft because I believe the minimum wage should be at a living wage.

I’m #TooFarLeft because I believe that climate change is an existential threat.

— Students For Bernie (@Students_Bernie) November 16, 2019

I’m #TooFarLeft because I don’t think children should be separated from their parents and put in cages.

I’m #TooFarLeft because I don’t think children should be murdered at school.

I’m #TooFarLeft because I care about children not being tortured or murdered.

— God (@thegoodgodabove) November 16, 2019

Obama has largely refrained from publicly opining on the Democratic primary, which has exposed a growing rift between an ascendant progressive wing of the party and old-guard centrists like his former vice president, Joe Biden.

But he said he felt compelled to weigh in because some of the loudest and most strident voices, particularly on social media, aren’t representative of where most in the party are at.

Immigration and health care are two issues he cited as cases where Democratic candidates are out of synch with public sentiment.

It follows his declaration last month that people who think they’re “politically woke” and who cast stones at others for petty mistakes need to get over themselves.

Former US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle. Picture: AFP

“Even as we push the envelope and we are bold in our vision, we also have to be rooted in reality and the fact that voters, including the Democratic voters and certainly persuadable independents or even moderate Republicans, are not driven by the same views that are reflected on certain, you know, left-leaning Twitter feeds,” Obama said.

Obama delivered his remarks at a gathering of the Democracy Alliance, a group of wealthy Democrats who raise large sums for the party. He was interviewed by Stacey Abrams, a rising star in the party who narrowly lost the Georgia governor’s race last year.

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President to Mr Obama Joe Biden. Picture: AP

He also sought also to ease jittery Democrats who have been wringing their hands over the size of the sprawling field, which some worry will lead to a prolonged contest that will leave the eventual nominee with limited time to prepare for the general election.

“I just have to remind you that I had a very robust primary,” Mr Obama said. “Not only did I win ultimately a remarkably tough and lengthy primary process with Hillary Clinton, but people forget that even before that we had a big field of really serious, accomplished people.”

Hillary Clinton. Picture: PA Wire