Concerns at the top of the Democratic Party are prompting them to urge US president Joe Biden to reconsider his decision to run for re-election. Barack Obama, the former president, has communicated his worries to confidantes, while former house speaker Nancy Pelosi has privately warned Mr Biden that the Democrats’ opportunity to regain control of the House of Representatives could be jeopardised if he persists in his 2024 election bid.
As he recovers from a bout of Covid-19 in his Delaware home, isolated from others, the president is relying on a small number of his long-standing assistants whilst he ponders succumbing to the increasing pressure to abandon his candidacy.
As the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee concludes with strong showings from Donald Trump, the Biden For President campaign has summoned all members for a meeting scheduled for Friday. The Democrats are contemplating the likelihood of Mr Biden stepping down to make way for a fresh presidential candidate prior to their upcoming convention in Chicago next month.
Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, a close confidant of the President and co-chairman of his campaign, voiced: “President Biden deserves the dignity of having intimate family and caucus dialogues with his colleagues in the House, Senate, and Democratic leadership, without the burden of combating leaks and press releases.”
Adding to the pressure on the president, senator Jon Tester from Montana voiced on Thursday, becoming the second Democrat in the senate to do so, that he doesn’t believe President Biden should run for another term. Various members of Mr Biden’s cabinet also cast uncertainty over his re-election prospects and the secluded nature of his team.
Campaign spokespersons stated that Mr Biden is even more determined to remain in the election race despite escalating calls for his withdrawal, but there is still time for him to change his mind. Indications of the campaign’s financial challenges and his brief absence from campaign duties present a window of opportunity for Democrats to advocate his departure.
At the age of 81, Mr Biden contracted the coronavirus during a trip to Las Vegas. Describing his symptoms as “mild”, including “general malaise”, the White House declared his Covid-19 positive status.
Recalling an assassination attempt in Milwaukee, former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed a sense of wrongness about his current situation. This revelation came during a radio interview, set up prior to him testing positive. Despite his political downfall, he remained optimistic that it was not too late for him to regain his political standing, as he firmly stated to Univision’s Luis Sandoval that most individuals only focus on the November election starting from September.
Trump also addressed the political implications of his and Biden’s status, and the current ambiguous dynamics between them. Nevertheless, he added that private discussions have started amongst democratic lawmakers considering Vice President Kamala Harris as a potential replacement.
Reflecting on the current political scenario, Senator Peter Welch from Vermont voiced his worry, affirming that Biden must consider his course of action. This sentiment was echoed by former President Obama, who has also been in touch with key individuals in the democratic party expressing their concerns surrounding Biden.
Meanwhile, Nancy Pelosi, the ex-Speaker, cautioned Biden on the potential inability to beat Trump, this was followed up with a statement challenging the chaotic rumours from anonymous sources. When questioned about Biden’s potential withdrawal from the race, Quentin Fulks, Biden’s deputy campaign manager, maintained that Biden’s position remained steadfast.