The Democratic mood darkens as President Biden faces new pressure. Learn about the challenges and implications for his administration and party.
On Thursday, Joe Biden’s campaign encountered additional strain as a result of reported apprehensions voiced by Barack Obama regarding the presidential election. Democrats’ mood also turned gloomier and polls indicated that Donald Trump was gaining ground on his opponent.
According to a senior official from the Democratic party, many members of the party believed that Mr. Biden’s resignation was “unavoidable.” Some Democrats depicted a discouraging outlook on this matter.
According to the polling conducted on Thursday by CBS News, the US partner of BBC, he was found trailing Trump by five points which is the largest gap recorded during this campaign.
Reports of high-level Democratic concern were dismissed by Mr Biden’s campaign as “baseless”, with a firm assurance that he would retain his position as the nominee.
According to the Washington Post report, Mr Obama expressed in private that there was a significant decrease in Mr Biden’s chances. The representatives of the ex-president have refrained from making any statements on this matter.
Following reports from US media that Nancy Pelosi, former house speaker, along with the two most senior Democrats in Congress – Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer – had encouraged Mr Biden to ponder over his candidacy for the well-being of their party; polls and a report on Obama surfaced. However, all parties involved have denied these allegations.
According to a prominent Democratic official who spoke with BBC News, the atmosphere in Washington is gloomy as everyone anticipates an unavoidable verdict.
Likewise, Adam Smith – a congressman representing the Democratic Party in Washington state – conveyed a somber outlook. When questioned by The World Tonight on BBC Radio 4 regarding Mr Biden’s candidacy and whether it was approaching its conclusion, he responded with his impression that this may be the case.
To be honest, I’m not sure. However, it’s undeniable that this is the path we’re currently headed towards.
After a lackluster performance in the initial presidential debate, Mr. Biden has struggled through challenging weeks. Currently, he is recuperating from Covid and self-isolating in Delaware.
On the other hand, Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver the main speech at the Republican national convention in Milwaukee on Thursday evening. This would be his first public address after escaping an assassination plot. The attendees and advocates have been exceedingly enthusiastic throughout this week’s event.
Despite Democratic pressure for him to withdraw as the party’s candidate, Mr. Biden remains resolute in his stance and maintains strong backing from significant legislators such as members of the influential Congressional black caucus.
However, indications suggest that the Democratic leadership has started to exert increased pressure.
Last week, Mr. Schumer – the Senate Majority Leader – and Mr. Jeffries – the highest-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives- reportedly expressed concerns to President Biden that his troubles may negatively impact their fellow Congress members’ re-election prospects.
“The reports were deemed as baseless assumptions by Mr. Schumer and Mr. Jeffries remarked that his conversation was confidential, hence it would not be disclosed,” clarified the spokesperson.
As per CNN, Mrs. Pelosi had informed Mr. Biden that the polls indicate his loss; nevertheless, she criticized this news coverage as a “feeding frenzy.” However, she did not refute having a discussion with Mr. Biden on this matter.
According to the Post’s Thursday report, Mr Obama advised some associates that it was crucial for Mr Biden, his former vice-president, to reassess the sustainability of his candidacy.
Mr. Biden received a letter from Maryland congressman Jamie Raskin drawing an analogy between the president and a retiring baseball player, stating that it’s perfectly acceptable to retire with gratitude from the crowd when one’s arm grows weary.
“Baseless conjecture from anonymous sources,” TJ Ducklo, a senior advisor for the Biden campaign, criticized reports alleging concern among high-ranking individuals.
On X, it was written that Joe Biden is running for re-election as his party’s nominee.
According to Quentin Fulks, the deputy campaign manager, Mr. Biden is resolute in his stance and not changing anything. The president has already made a decision on this matter. However, he expressed some exasperation by saying that he was not trying to be impolite but did not know how many times more they need to answer the same question.
According to presidential doctor Kevin O’Connor, Mr Biden is showing mild upper respiratory symptoms commonly linked with Covid-19 but has not developed a fever as of Thursday.
Upon his arrival in the US on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is anticipated to meet with him as stated by The White House.
BBC
