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Former President Obama has emerged as a key player in the Democratic presidential primary race.

He hasnt put his thumb on the scale for any one candidate in particular. But in two different speeches this month, he has made clear that presidential hopefuls would be wise to avoid moving too far to the left if they hope to win back the White House in 2020.

Some party strategists and operatives say that by throwing the weight of his legacy and influence into the simmering ideological debate between the Democratic Partys progressive and moderate wings, the former president has the potential to reshape the dynamics of the primary race.

His latest remarks came last week as Obama met with party donors in California, where he urged Democrats to chill out about the primary contest and prepare to rally behind the eventual nominee. But he also appeared to warn against calling for too drastic of change.

When you listen to the average voter even ones who arent stalwart Democrats, but who are more independent or are low-information voters they dont feel that things are working well, but theyre also nervous about changes that might take away what little they have, Obama said.

For some Democrats, Obamas remarks reinforced their concerns that the primary field has lurched too far to the left and that the party may be barreling toward a loss in 2020 unless it can unite behind a moderate nominee capable of appealing to a broader swath of voters in the general election.

I think that to some extent Obama is the canary in the coal mine, said Dick Harpootlian, a former chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party who is supporting former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenButtigieg: 'I was slow to realize' South Bend schools were not integrated Yang raises almost 0K in a single day Judiciary Democrat: House impeaching Trump not a 'foregone conclusion' MOREs presidential bid.

Hes warning Democrats that if you buy an agenda that is not relevant or salable in November, youre guaranteeing Donald Trump a second term.

Obamas remarks came as the Democratic primary fields top tier finds itself divided along ideological lines.

Biden, who served as Obamas vice president for eight years and is seen as the standard-bearer for the partys moderate wing, leads in most national polls.

Likewise, another moderate, South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete ButtigiegPeter (Pete) Paul ButtigiegButtigieg: 'I was slow to realize' South Bend schools were not integrated Yang raises almost 0K in a single day Booker launches first 2020 digital campaign ad MORE, has seen a recent burst of momentum in Iowa and New Hampshire, the first two states to vote in the 2020 nominating contest.

Theyre competing, however, with two high-profile progressives, Sens. Bernie SandersBernie SandersButtigieg: 'I was slow to realize' South Bend schools were not integrated Yang raises almost 0K in a single day Booker launches first 2020 digital campaign ad MORE (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth Ann WarrenButtigieg: 'I was slow to realize' South Bend schools were not integrated Yang raises almost 0K in a single day Booker launches first 2020 digital campaign ad MORE (D-Mass.), who have campaigned on platforms of sweeping, systemic change.

Politico reported that Obama has said privately that he would speak up to stop Sanders if the democratic socialist looked likelyto clinch the nomination, though a spokesperson reiterated that the former president would support and campaign for whoever is nominated.

Obama hasnt criticized any particular candidate and has offered praise for those proposing bolder ideas in the primary. Allies of the former president said that he is not looking to weigh in on the partys ideological battles, but rather that he wants to keep the field focused on defeating President TrumpDonald John TrumpPerry ends final day as Energy secretary Mexican officials detain suspects in massacre of members of Mormon sect READ: White House's letter to Nadler saying it won't participate in impeachment hearing MORE in 2020.

Rufus Gifford, who served as finance director for Obamas 2012 reelection campaign, said that the former president is aware that any remarks he makes about the Democratic primary fight will be heavily scrutinized.

But Gifford said that he took Obamas remarks more as a warning to voters not to let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

For him to weigh in, he knows that anything he says will be analyzed by the political media and the powers that be, Gifford said. But he can set a tone. The tone of this primary so far hasnt necessarily been negative but it hasnt been that positive either.

Hes weighing in to unify the party as much as he can; to help out without being some sort of master manipulator.

Regardless of his intentions, Obamas warnings in recent speeches to donors that most voters dont want to tear down the system and remake it sparked a backlash among some in the Democratic Partys progressive wing, who saw the comments as an implicit swipe at Sanders and Warren.

The remarks prompted the hashtag #TooFarLeft to trend on Twitter earlier this month, as progressives voiced outrage at the notion that their core principles health care as a human right, for instance were outside of political norms.

Peter Daou, a former adviser to 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonBennet shares video of him in Iowa: 'I'm just chillin' in Cedar Rapids' Trump's culpability is greater than Nixon's Chuck Todd challenges John Kennedy on Ukraine: Putin is only other person 'selling this argument' MORE who created the #TooFarLeft hashtag, acknowledged that the effort came about in part as a response to Obamas recent remarks. But he said that it was also intended to push back on a broader critique leveled by political elites to discredit those in the partys left flank.

Yes, I started the #TooFarLeft hashtag partly in response to #Obama's comments. But that wasn't the main reason, Daou tweeted. Too Far Left is the default attack line by the entire political/media establishment to dismiss progressives and leftists who want a better world.

Whether Obamas remarks have any tangible or lasting impact on the Democratic nominating contest remains to be seen. Some Democrats argued that the comments would help bolster the argument for voters to back a more moderate nominee, like Biden, Buttigieg or Sen. Amy KlobucharAmy Jean KlobucharYang raises almost 0K in a single day Klobuchar: 'I don't see' voting to acquit Trump in Senate trial Booker launches first 2020 digital campaign ad MORE (D-Minn.), who have all sought to occupy a sort of middle ground in the primary race.

I think it benefits the moderates people, like Joe Biden and Amy Klobuchar, Pete Buttigieg, Harpootlian, the Biden ally, said. Who does it discourage? It would be Elizabeth Warren and Bernie.

But Gifford, Obamas former finance director, said that even the opinions of someone as significant as Barack ObamaBarack Hussein ObamaTrillion-dollar deficits as far as the eye can see, and hardly a voice of caution to be heard Booker: 'If you want me in this race, then I need help' Bloomberg can't win, but he could help reelect Trump MORE will not reshape the race in its entirety.

Its not as if he will move the needle tremendously, Gifford said. What he can do is help to establish a more healthy political narrative.

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Obama looms over divided Democratic primary | TheHill - The Hill