Messina wrote that Obama faced similar political headwinds in 2011, a year before he was reelected. For much of the year, both Biden and Trump have either been tied, or one candidate has had a nominal lead. But Jim Messina — who in 2012 managed then-President Barack Obama's successful reelection bid — has a message for Democrats worried about Biden's current standing: "Don't panic." "A year before a presidential election, it is just too early to get an accurate read on how the people will actually vote," Messina wrote. AdvertisementAdvertisement"The Biden campaign knows that there are just seven battleground states this time, with a few paths to victory," he wrote.

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Persons: Jim Messina, Obama's, it's, Messina, Obama, —, Joe Biden's, Donald Trump, Trump, Biden, Jim Messina —, Barack Obama's, Republican Mitt Romney Organizations: Democratic, Service, Biden, Trump, New York Times, Politico, White House, GOP House, Democratic Senate, Party, Republican, North Carolina Locations: Arizona , Nevada, Georgia, Siena, Washington, Messina, Michigan , Pennsylvania, Wisconsin