U.S. President Joe Biden is facing intense demands from within the Democratic Party to withdraw his candidacy. Biden, who is currently isolating at his home in Delaware after testing positive for COVID-19, is at a critical juncture regarding his decision to remain in the presidential race.
According to the New York Times (NYT) and Reuters, close aides to Biden revealed that he was considering withdrawing his candidacy.
The NYT reported that Biden acknowledges the possibility of losing the election and is preparing to accept pressure from within the Democratic Party. Some of Biden’s close associates have begun to recognize that he may lose the election and may have to step down from his candidacy due to the demands within the party.
Key associates within the White House and Biden’s campaign have noticed a shift in sentiment. The prevailing opinion is that Biden will soon decide to resign. One associate mentioned that Biden has not yet decided to resign, while another highlighted that the reality is becoming clear, suggesting Vice President Kamala Harris as a likely successor.
Key figures in the Democratic Party are also recommending Biden to resign. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have directly conveyed the party’s concerns to Biden. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urged Biden to resign, warning that if he insists on running, it could jeopardize the Democrats’ House elections.
Former President Obama also discussed the decreasing likelihood of Biden’s election victory and the need to consider seriously maintaining his candidacy. Democratic House Representative Jamie Raskin also sent a letter to Biden recommending a discussion on his future course.
Vice President Harris will likely become the next candidate if Biden resigns. During Biden’s quarantine period, Harris continued to campaign in the battleground state of North Carolina, demonstrating her capabilities as a presidential candidate. She has been vocal in her criticism of Republican vice-presidential candidate Senator J.D. Vance during her campaign.
According to polls, 79% of Democratic supporters said they would support Harris if Biden resigned. The Republican Party is also preparing for the possibility of Harris becoming the candidate by increasing their attacks on her.
The question of Biden’s resignation now seems to be a matter of timing. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has postponed plans for an early nomination of Biden until after the first week of August. Democratic leaders are persuading Biden to resign by this weekend.
In an interview with BET News, a cable network focused on black entertainment, Biden stressed his commitment to finishing the election race. Despite securing overwhelming support from delegates in the party primaries, there is no mechanism to revoke Biden’s candidacy. Consequently, he faces calls to make a voluntary decision.
Republicans are criticizing the demand for Biden’s resignation as illegal. House Speaker Mike Johnson mocked the demand, saying that the Democrats’ attempt to remove the candidate from the ballot contradicts everything that has happened over the past 14 months.
Biden’s health and age are significant concerns. His health issues, combined with vulnerability due to old age, raised questions about his credibility as a presidential candidate. The controversy over cognitive decline shown in last month’s TV debate also amplified these concerns. Doubts about his electoral competitiveness are reflected in poll results. Recent polls show Biden trailing behind Trump, the Republican presidential candidate. There is growing concern within the Democratic Party about Biden’s declining approval rating, which is the backdrop for key party figures recommending his resignation.
The pressure on Biden to resign reflects divisions within the Democratic Party and a leadership crisis. If Biden maintains his candidacy, it could deepen divisions within the Democratic Party, negatively affecting election victory. Some Democratic lawmakers argue that Biden must step down for the party to unite.
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