US President Joe Biden is facing increasing pressure from top Democratic leaders and close allies to withdraw from the presidential race, potentially as soon as this weekend, according to several prominent Democrats who have spoken privately on the matter.
The 81-year-old president, currently self-isolating after testing positive for COVID-19, has publicly maintained his intention to run. However, privately, he is contending with mounting pressure from within his party. The combination of unfavorable polling, concerns over his age and cognitive acuity, and escalating scrutiny has led many to believe it is untenable for him to continue his campaign.
Key Democratic figures have conveyed a blunt message to Biden: influential party leaders, friends, and major donors believe he cannot win the general election. They are concerned that his candidacy could result in significant losses for Democrats in Congress and potentially pave the way for former President Donald Trump to return to the White House.
A close friend of Biden summarized the sentiment: “His choice is to be one of history’s heroes, or to be sure of the fact that there’ll never be a Biden presidential library. I pray that he does the right thing. He’s headed that way.”
The urgency has heightened in recent days, particularly following an AP poll released yesterday showing that nearly two-thirds of Democrats want Biden to withdraw from the presidential race. The results of this poll have reverberated through the White House and Congress, amplifying the pressure on Biden to step aside.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer reportedly told Biden during a recent meeting in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, that it would be best for him to drop out. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is heavily involved in the campaign to encourage Biden to step down, expressed concerns that his continued candidacy could jeopardize the Democrats’ chances of regaining control of the House. Pelosi is also worried about the potential impact on fundraising efforts.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has conveyed a similar message, albeit more subtly. Additionally, former President Barack Obama has notably remained silent on the issue, while his former aides have publicly criticized Biden. Similarly, Bill and Hillary Clinton, along with their former aides, have refrained from voicing support.
According to sources, some top Biden aides who initially urged him to continue his campaign after a poor debate performance on June 27 have now changed their stance, believing it is only a matter of time before Biden announces his withdrawal.
Despite the intense pressure, Biden has remained publicly steadfast. “The president told both leaders he is the nominee of the party, he plans to win, and looks forward to working with both of them to pass his 100 days agenda to help working families,” a White House spokesperson said regarding the Schumer and Jeffries conversations.
“In recent days the President has become more committed to staying in the race,” added a senior Biden aide.
The Biden-Harris campaign has also emphasized the president’s determination. “If the facts matter — and they should — here is one: President Biden is the Democratic nominee and he is going to win this November,” a campaign spokesperson stated.
At an event outside the GOP convention in Milwaukee, Deputy Campaign Manager Quentin Fulks told reporters, “Biden is not wavering on anything. The president has made his decision.”
Despite Biden’s public resolve, he has been reportedly more open to discussions about his options, including the potential candidacy of Vice President Kamala Harris against Trump. Leaks from within the party suggest that Biden is considering his legacy and the broader impact on the Democratic Party.
A likely scenario being discussed is Biden stepping aside and endorsing Harris, while also allowing the delegates to decide if the party feels otherwise. This approach would aim to mitigate any criticism of undemocratic processes within the party.
With key swing states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin crucial to their chances of victory, the pressure on Biden to withdraw has reached a critical point. The coming days will be decisive in determining the future direction of the Democratic campaign and the party’s prospects in November.
Information for this story was found via Axios and the sources and companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
