President Joe Biden is said to be irritated by some Democratic allies urging him to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.
According to sources who spoke with The New York Times, Biden, recuperating from COVID-19, is feeling annoyed with party leaders, including former President Barack Obama, allegedly involved in discussions about him stepping aside as the Democratic nominee.
Following the initial presidential debate, numerous lawmakers have suggested Biden end his campaign. Despite this, his closest allies like Obama and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have not publicly opposed him, with Biden’s team affirming his commitment to staying in the race.
However, based on the report from the Times, Biden views Obama as a behind-the-scenes orchestrator of discussions regarding his candidacy. According to individuals close to Biden who spoke anonymously with the Times, the president, familiar with political maneuvers, suspects the recent media leaks are coordinated to increase pressure on him to step aside.
The Associated Press (AP) reported that Obama is sharing concerns with allies regarding Biden’s chances in November. As per almost a dozen anonymous sources, the former president indicates that Biden needs to evaluate his campaign’s viability but stresses that the decision ultimately rests with Biden.
CNN mentioned Pelosi advising Biden about polling data suggesting he may not defeat Trump, which could negatively impact other Democrats. Although Pelosi refuted claims of critical conversations attributed to anonymous sources in a statement, as reported by AP.
Author and investigative journalist Carl Bernstein, known for his coverage of the Watergate scandal, mentioned on CNN that individuals he spoke with described Biden as angry over internal party pressure, feeling abandoned.
Bernstein stated that Biden has shifted from reflection to realizing the slim chances of sustaining his candidacy. Despite this, as of Friday afternoon, sources indicate Biden remains resolute about staying in the race.
Democratic Representative Gerald Connolly of Virginia expressed sympathies, noting the criticism against Biden must be challenging for him.
Many lawmakers calling for Biden to step down have previously commended his initial four years in office. Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico suggested on Friday that Biden’s legacy as a great leader would be secured by stepping aside for a stronger candidate against Trump.
Senator Jon Tester of Montana also recommended Biden not seeking re-election, citing a commitment to public service but believing a fresh candidate could better safeguard democracy.