Politico writes this morning that they’ve been told that George Clooney spoke to Obama before he released his brutal op-ed yesterday in the New York Times calling for Joe Biden to drop out of the race.

They say Obama did not object to Clooney’s op-ed:

THE EX-PRESIDENT: Before Hollywood icon and Democratic donor GEORGE CLOONEY published his buzzy and brutal NYT op-ed yesterday calling on Biden to step aide as the nominee, we’re told he reached out to former President BARACK OBAMA to give him a heads-up. The two men, who are friendly, both attended the L.A. fundraiser Clooney referenced in his piece, where the actor said he’d beheld a diminished Biden and that the leader he interacted with was “the same man we all witnessed at the debate.”

While Obama did not encourage or advise Clooney to say what he said, he also didn’t object to it, we’re told from people familiar with their exchange. The lack of pushback is an eye-popping revelation given that the former president was one of the first big voices defending Biden following his abysmal debate performance (while many of his former aides have been some of the incumbent’s biggest critics).

Anyone with common sense can see the writing on the wall, including Obama. Which is why, I think, he didn’t object to Clooney’s op-ed because he’s been getting an earful himself from people wanting Biden to drop out.

Speaking of Biden, he’s meeting with Democrat Senators today after more have come out and said he should withdraw from the race.