Biden’s 2024 campaign is facing internal scrutiny
Image: Madalina Vasiliu
In recent days, President Biden has faced renewed calls from Democratic lawmakers and major donors to step aside in the 2024 presidential race following his underwhelming debate performance – though the president shows no signs of backing down.
Biden, who is all-but-certain to remain the Democratic nominee unless he personally decides to drop out, has consistently said he’s still committed to running against former President Donald Trump.
- In his first televised post-debate interview on Friday, Biden blamed his on-stage performance – where he at times appeared to lose his train of thought and delivered rambling answers at low volume – on “a really bad cold.”
- Biden also said he’s currently “in good shape” physically, but declined to commit to a cognitive or neurological exam, saying he essentially has a test every day with his job.
Despite Biden’s reassurances, many Democrats remain worried. On Saturday, a fifth Democratic House member publicly called on Biden to step down as the nominee. An additional ~40 congressional Democrats are considering speaking out or signing letters telling Biden the same thing, according to multiple reports.
- Biden is also facing pressure to step aside from numerous high-profile Democratic donors, including Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings, former Paypal CEO Bill Harris, and Disney heir Abigail Disney.
What do the polls say? Three-quarters of American voters say Democrats would have a better shot at holding the presidency in 2024 by putting up someone other than President Biden, per a CNN/SSRS poll last week.
- Overall, FiveThirtyEight’s national polling average shows the race has shifted in Trump's direction following the June 27 debate, changing from essentially a dead heat to a 42.1%-39.8% Trump advantage currently.
Looking ahead… Trump is expected to name his vice presidential nominee sometime before or during the Republican National Convention on July 15-18. The Democratic National Convention, which officially determines the party’s presidential nominee, runs from August 19-22.
đź“Š Flash poll: Do you think Joe Biden should drop out of the 2024 presidential race in favor of a different Democratic candidate?
See a 360° view of what media pundits are saying →
Sprinkles from the Left
- Some commentators argue that Biden’s argument that he’s the candidate with the best chance of defeating Trump is no longer sufficient, and the US needs a stronger opponent to prevent Trump’s challenge to the values and institutions of this country.
- Others contend that Biden should seriously consider whether he is up to the supremely essential job of defeating Trump, and that his legacy will ultimately be defined by the outcome of his choice to stay in or leave the race.
- “To Serve His Country, President Biden Should Leave the Race” –NY Times Editorial Board
- “How Biden and the Democrats should think through what to do now” –WaPo Editorial Board
- “Before Democrats think about replacing Biden, they should remember 1968” –Julian Zelizer, CNN
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue that the recent debate has forced the Democratic-media establishment to admit the truth that Biden isn’t fit to hold the presidency, and Biden will struggle to persuade Democrats that he can stand up to Trump’s assaults for the next four months.
- Others contend that regardless of whether Biden is replaced at the top of the Democratic ticket, the candidate is going to advance the same leftist agenda that’s sent the price of everyday items skyrocketing, made it unsafe to walk suburban streets at night, and opened our southern border to invasion.
- “The Almighty Calls for Biden” –WSJ Editorial Board
- “Biden’s irrelevance” –Washington Times Editorial Board
- “The Media Want the Flaming Wreckage of the Biden Campaign to Explode — to Cover Their Tracks” –Jeffrey Blehar, National Review
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