As President Joe Biden returned to Delaware from Las Vegas on Wednesday night, having cut his trip short after testing positive for COVID-19, he faced a crucial decision in his political career: whether to heed the growing calls within his party to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, as reported by CNN. Biden’s situation arises amidst mounting frustration and anxiety within the Democratic Party, intensifying since his poor debate performance in Atlanta nearly three weeks ago. Several Democratic officials revealed to CNN that the atmosphere within the White House and the Biden campaign has notably changed in recent days.
A senior Democratic adviser, speaking anonymously to avoid alienating the campaign and the White House, mentioned that private conversations with Capitol Hill are ongoing and that Biden has become more receptive and less defiant. The adviser noted that Biden’s stance has shifted from asserting that Vice President Kamala Harris cannot win to questioning if she can, though it remains uncertain where he will ultimately decide.
This change in Biden’s tone has led to speculation that he might be reconsidering his position on the 2024 election. The increasing concern among Democratic donors and leaders signifies a critical point for Biden’s campaign, which is facing heightened scrutiny. Despite these developments, the Biden campaign insists that the president is not considering withdrawing from the race. Kevin Munoz, a spokesperson for the Biden campaign, refuted any suggestions of Biden rethinking his candidacy, stating confidently that Biden is the Democratic nominee and will win in November.
The situation is further complicated by recent reports of a significant conversation between Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Biden over the weekend. ABC News’ Jonathan Karl reported that Schumer, during a private meeting at Biden’s beach house in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, advised the president that it might be best for the party if he stepped out of the presidential race. In response, a Schumer spokesperson clarified that unless the source was Schumer or Biden, the report was speculative, adding that Schumer had conveyed his caucus’s views directly to Biden without using his usual public phrase, “I’m with Joe.”
Democratic officials see Schumer’s private advice to Biden as a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over the president’s future in the 2024 race. Schumer’s guidance is perceived as part of a broader, escalating discussion within the party about Biden’s candidacy’s viability. Earlier on Wednesday, Representative Adam Schiff, currently running for Senate in California, publicly urged Biden to reconsider his bid for a second term, becoming the first congressional Democrat to do so.
As Biden navigates his political future, the coming days are expected to be decisive in determining his response to the growing pressure from within his own party. The White House and Biden campaign must address Democratic leaders’ and donors’ concerns while managing the challenges posed by Biden’s recent health issues and public performance, as reported by CNN.