Story highlights Carney said Obama won't make an official endorsement until the race is decided

Clinton has made a point to draw from her closeness with Obama on the campaign trail

Washington (CNN) President Barack Obama's former White House press secretary says the President has a preference in the Democratic primary to replace him: Hillary Clinton.

Obama has maintained neutrality in the primary and recently met with Clinton's opponent, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , at the White House. Still, his comments on the race have seemed to favor his former secretary of state, if only slightly.

Jay Carney told CNN's Brooke Baldwin on Wednesday that's no accident -- and the President does want Clinton to win.

"I don't think there is any doubt that he wants Hillary to win the nomination and believes that she would be the best candidate in the fall and the most effective as president in carrying forward what he's achieved," said Carney, a CNN contributor.

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