Reports have surfaced recently about President Joe Biden cornered by his own party mates, contemplating an exit from his forthcoming reelection bid. Allegedly, the Biden clan is devising how the president might abandon his race, so as to provide the Democratic Party a shot against former president Donald Trump, according to undisclosed sources in contact with NBC News. The family has been discussing the political campaign’s deleterious effects on Biden’s health, his personal life, and the nation’s future. Remarkably, these family discussions have largely revolved around how to allow the president a comfortable exit under his own terms.
Notably participating in these discussions are key family figures including America’s First Lady, Jill Biden, the president’s son Hunter Biden, and his sister Valerie Owens; all of whom have had significant roles in his political journey. Simultaneously, Biden’s campaign manager, Jen O’Malley Dillon, maintains a defensive front on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, asserting Biden will remain the official nominee for the party at the upcoming convention next month. However, considering the circumstances, it appears that her feigning confidence only seeks to mask the actual tumult brewing within the party.
Furthermore, Biden released a political statement that was as evasive as it could be, skipping over any mention of his potential status as the nominee, but still confirming his intent to rally against Trump. He expressed an eagerness to return to the campaign trail next week, aiming to continue unraveling Trump’s proposed policies while marketing his own record and vision for the country. Nevertheless, such rhetoric seems hollow at best, given the mixed signals emerging from within his own camp regarding his potential exit.
Paradoxically, Biden’s day started on Friday awash with declining support from Capitol Hill. An unexpected blow came from several House lawmakers, including Rep. Marc Veasey of Texas, who is notably the first Black member of Congress to pivot against Biden. They issued a joint statement urging Biden to concede his campaign for the party’s and the country’s greater good. Certainly, it wasn’t an easy call but it shows how questioning Biden’s ability to lead has come to the mainstream.
In a formal address to the president, these lawmakers pointed out, ‘Mr. President, with great admiration for you personally, sincere respect for your decades of public service and patriotic leadership, and deep appreciation for everything we have accomplished together during your presidency, it is now time for you to pass the torch to a new generation of Democratic leaders.’ A scathing indictment, particularly given these leaders previously aligned with Biden, indicating the tide may be turning against the president.
With over two dozen Democrats in Congress and many more projected to follow suit on that fateful Friday, there’s a growing chorus suggesting Biden shift the leadership torch to some other figure in the party. Fear over losing the Senate and hope for regaining the House have provoked top party leaders such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and ex-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to subtly try to nudge him off the political stage.
Compounding Biden’s predicament is that even his old boss, ex-President Barack Obama, is noticeably uncertain about his chances of victory. Two other Senators, Jon Tester from Montana and Martin Heinrich from New Mexico, have also openly expressed their concerns. In light of such skepticism, the position of Biden’s candidacy, now more than ever, balances on thin ice.
Saddling alongside these concerns are mounting doubts regarding Biden’s advancing age and questioning of mental fitness, especially after his recent poor debate against Trump, which further cast shadows on his ability to compete in the race. Despite this, Biden continues to stubbornly assert that he is the party’s nominee and won’t relinquish his position unless there’s some sort of divine intervention.
Biden has been largely secluded at his residence in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, ever since he tested positive for the coronavirus last Wednesday. Interestingly, his public schedule remains devoid of any events, reinforcing speculations that his time in the race may be nearing its end. Facing such pressures, the president confessed in a recent interview that he would contemplate surrendering his race in the event of an unforeseen health issue spoiling his bid.
An update from his physician on Thursday reports that he is only undergoing ‘mild’ symptoms and normal vital signs while being treated with the antiviral medication, Paxlovid. However, it appears that his health status serves as a convenient talking point for critics who question his overall physical and mental resilience to endure the political battle of a reelection campaign.
Meanwhile, there are subtle indications that the Biden family is not entirely prepared to call it quits just yet. These conflicting updates create a perplexing situation, leading to the question of whether President Biden will persist in the political race or tactfully step aside for the betterment of his party and, arguably, the country.
Biden Mulls Over Decision to Bow Out of Reelection Bid appeared first on Real News Now.
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