 The two men who are friendly both attended the L.A. fundraiser Clooney referenced in his piece, where the actor said he beheld a diminished Biden and that the leader he interacted with was, quote, the same man we 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.