Image description, Democratic Party leaders are reportedly concerned that President Biden is unlikely to win the US presidential election in November.
July 19, 2024 12:29
Sam Cabral (Washington), Sarah Smith (Milwaukee), BBC News
It was reported on the 18th that former President Barack Obama expressed concern about President Joe Biden’s chances of being re-elected in the US presidential election in November. The Biden campaign is under further pressure to withdraw from the race, amid a dark mood within the Democratic Party and polls that suggest former President Donald Trump, the official Republican nominee, is ahead.
Some Democratic politicians took a bleak view. A senior party official told the BBC that many within the party felt it was “inevitable” that Mr Biden would withdraw from the race.
A poll conducted by CBS News, the American affiliate of the BBC, showed on the 18th that Mr. Biden has a 5-point lead over candidate Trump, the largest gap since the start of the campaign.
However, the Biden campaign dismissed reports that Democratic leaders were expressing concerns about Biden as “baseless”. Biden insisted that he will remain in the race as the party’s nominee.
The Washington Post reported on the 18th that former President Barack Obama told those close to him that Mr. Biden’s chances of victory were very remote. A spokesman for Mr. Obama declined to comment.
Ahead of polls showing Trump leading Biden and reports of Obama’s remarks, Democratic former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer spoke out as advising Mr. Biden to reconsider on his candidacy for the benefit of his party. All three deny the reports.
A senior Democratic Party official told the BBC there was a serious mood within the administration. “We are all waiting for the inevitable decision to be made.”
Representative Adam Smith (Washington state) expressed a similarly harsh opinion. Asked on BBC Radio 4’s The World Tonight if the Democratic Party was “trying to kill” Biden’s ongoing campaign, Smith said: “That’s my feeling. “I don’t really know, but I think that’s the direction we’re headed. going. There’s no question about that.”
During the televised debate with candidate Trump on June 27, Mr. Biden was restless, his voice hoarse and his words stuttering at times. Since then, the situation has been difficult for several weeks.
In contrast, candidate Trump will give his first speech since the assassination attempt on the night of the 18th, the final day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The delegation and supporters of the state have been extremely happy for the past week.
Have Democratic Party leaders “increased pressure to withdraw”?
Mr. Biden has previously resisted pressure within his own party to reject the Democratic nomination. He continues to receive public support from many members of Congress, including members of the influential Congressional Black Caucus.
But there are signs that Democratic leaders have begun to apply more pressure to withdraw from the race.
Senate Majority Leader Schumer and House Minority Leader Jeffries said last week that their colleagues in Congress were “concerned” that Biden’s problems would affect his re-election chances
Mr. Schumer called the reports “baseless speculation” and Mr. Jeffries said that “private conversations will continue to remain private.”
CNN reported that former Speaker of the House Pelosi told Biden that polls showed he could not win. Pelosi accused the media of a “cover war” but did not deny having a conversation with Biden.
The Washington Post reported on the 18th that former President Barack Obama told several allies that Biden, who was vice president under the Obama administration, must seriously consider whether his candidacy is still viable.
In a letter to Biden, Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland said there was “no shame” in stepping back “when your arms are exhausted and thanking the crowd, compared to a retired baseball pitcher.”
“Baseless speculation” and the Biden campaign
TJ Ducklo, a senior adviser to the Biden campaign, called reports of party officials’ concerns “baseless speculation from anonymous sources.”
“Joe Biden is the nominee of the party,” Ducklo wrote on social media “He is running for re-election.”Postdid.
Quentin Fulks, deputy campaign manager for the Biden campaign, said that Biden “has not held back. The president has made his decision. I don’t mean to be rude, but how many more times do we have to say that?” said.
Biden, who tested positive for the new coronavirus, has mild symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, but does not have a fever, his doctor Kevin O’Connor said on the 18th.
According to the White House, Mr. Biden is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is visiting the United States on the 24th next week.