As U.S. President Joe Biden, 81, remains steadfast in his re-election campaign, whispers of doubt and concern are growing louder among his fellow Democrats. On Saturday, despite an escalating chorus from within his own party urging him to step down, Biden showed no sign of reconsidering his run. His recent public appearances, including a much-anticipated interview with ABC News, did little to allay the fears of his party about his capability to defeat Republican rival Donald Trump, 78, in the upcoming November election.
What They Are saying
In a candid interview, Biden declared that only divine intervention could sway him from his campaign path, dismissing the idea that Democratic leaders could unite to persuade him otherwise. On Saturday, he continued with his usual duties, holding a business-as-usual call with his campaign’s national co-chairs.
The internal strife within the Democratic Party is expected to intensify as lawmakers return to Washington from their holiday recess. U.S. Representative Angie Craig of Minnesota, representing a battleground district, publicly called for Biden to step down. Citing his performance in a recent debate and subsequent lackluster responses, Craig expressed her belief that Biden cannot effectively campaign and win against Trump.
“Given what I saw and heard from the President during last week’s debate in Atlanta, coupled with the lack of a forceful response from the President himself following that debate, I do not believe that the President can effectively campaign and win against Donald Trump,”
Two separate letters are circulating among Democratic House lawmakers, urging Biden to step aside, according to House Democratic sources. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has scheduled a virtual meeting with senior House Democrats to discuss Biden’s candidacy and the future of the party. Similarly, U.S. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia plans to convene a meeting of senators to discuss Biden’s condition.
Meanwhile, Biden spent Saturday at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, with no public events scheduled. Sunday promises to be busier with two campaign events in Pennsylvania. Despite the mounting pressure, Biden remains defiant, as evidenced by his rally in Madison, Wisconsin, where he confidently declared, “I am running and gonna win again.”
Why It Matters
While some polls indicate Trump’s lead over Biden is widening, causing concern among Democrats about the impact on down-ballot races, a Bloomberg News/Morning Consult tracking poll shows Biden trailing Trump by only 2 percentage points in critical battleground states.
The Palestinian militant group Hamas accepted a U.S. proposal to begin talks on releasing Israeli hostages, potentially paving the way for a ceasefire in the nine-month-long war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Vice President Kamala Harris, seen as a potential replacement if Biden were to step down, expressed her support for Biden on social media, highlighting his lifelong commitment to fighting for Americans. Harris is set to speak at the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans.
The growing concerns about Biden’s candidacy are not just confined to political circles. Margaret Washa, a 75-year-old retired physical therapist from Wisconsin, shared her disappointment after seeing Biden’s interview. She believes it’s time for a younger, more dynamic leader to take the helm. “It’s time to pass the baton. There are so many good, strong, younger, intelligent, more charismatic Democrats out there,” she said.
Bottom Line
As the political landscape continues to shift, Biden’s determination to remain in the race could lead to a contentious battle within the Democratic Party, testing the unity and resolve of his supporters
