Former President Barack Obama has taken an active interest in the campaign of his former Vice President Joe Biden. According to a New York Times report, Obama even held a lunch with his former running mate last month.

Although Obama has vowed to stay neutral during the Democratic primary, the former president gathered top members of Biden's campaign at his home in Washington D.C. earlier this year in order to receive a briefing on Biden's communications and digital media strategies before the former vice president's campaign launch, according to a report by The Hill.

According to the report, Obama told multiple Biden aides they should make sure that the former vice president does not “embarrass himself” or “damage his legacy” while running for president.

Recently, Biden has come under fire for his connection to Obama, having to answer for the more negative parts of the Obama legacy.

“You invoke President Obama more than anybody in this campaign," Sen. Booker said to Biden during the most recent Democratic debate. "You can’t do it when it’s convenient and then dodge it when it’s not." 

Biden has been on the defensive on the subject, attempting to keep the view of the Obama legacy positive long enough for him to continue it from the Oval Office.

“I must tell you I was a little surprised by how much incoming there was about Barack — about the president,” the former vice president told reporters in Detroit following the Democratic debate in the city, according to USA Today. “I’m proud of having served with him. I’m proud of the job he did. I don’t think there is anything he has to apologize for … It kind of surprised me, the degree of the criticism.”

Despite recent attacks, Biden still remains the leader in many polls, and is one of nine candidates who have qualified for the September Democratic debates.