President Joe Biden walks to his car after disembarking Air Force One at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, on July 17, 2024. Biden is back at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, where he is self-isolating after testing positive for COVID-19. Photo by AP
US President Joe Biden is expected to make a major announcement in his re-election bid, but media reports suggest several senior Democratic Party officials are signalling they may withdraw from the race following his disastrous debate performances, the assassination attempt on rival Donald Trump, his deteriorating health and falling approval ratings.
“Several people close to President Biden said Thursday they believe he is beginning to accept the idea that he may not win the November election and that he may have to cave in to growing demands from many anxious members of his party and withdraw from the race.” The New York Times report.
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Biden, 81, is in isolation at his home in Delaware after testing positive for COVID-19. According to media reports, top Democratic leaders, including former President Barack Obama, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, have urged Biden to withdraw from the presidential race, threatening to lose the White House, the Senate, and three House seats.
“People close to senior Democratic Party officials said Thursday that it was a matter of when Biden would withdraw from the presidential race, not if he would. Former President Barack Obama has told friends who have called him in recent days that Biden’s path to victory is narrow, according to a person familiar with the calls.” The New York Times The report states:
The Washington Post Speaker Pelosi reported Thursday night that she is stepping up her behind-the-scenes role in trying to convince the president to drop out of the race, which Obama has said he has a slim chance of winning.
according to Hill, Vice President Kamala Harris has begun her search for a potential running mate, with three candidates currently on the table: Sen. Mark Kelly, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper.
Most media reports said Biden could announce his re-election bid after the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
“One person close to Biden warned that the president has not yet decided to withdraw from the race after three weeks of insisting that almost nothing can remove him from office. But another person said ‘reality is setting in’ and it would not be a surprise if Biden were to announce his support for Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor soon.” The New York Times report.
