Clock Ticking On Biden As Pressure To Quit Race Increases

• Nearly two-thirds of Democrats believe President Biden should quit the race for re-election, according to a recent poll
• Influential Democrats like Pelosi and Schumer have not denied reports of private conversations expressing concern about Biden’s diminished path to victory

A recent poll has found that nearly two-thirds of Democrats believe President Joe Biden should quit the race for re-election. Influential figures within the Democratic Party, including Nancy Pelosi, Hakeem Jeffries, Chuck Schumer, and Adam Schiff, have not publicly called for Biden to step down. Still, their lack of denial regarding reports of private conversations is notable.

Former President Barack Obama, now seen as an elder statesman within the party, has reportedly expressed concern about Biden’s candidacy. According to The Washington Post, Obama has told allies that Biden’s path to victory has greatly diminished and that he needs to consider the viability of his campaign seriously. Despite an up-and-down relationship between the two, Obama’s concerns carry significant weight.

Nancy Pelosi, a seasoned politician, is navigating a delicate balance. She does not want to be seen as disloyal to a president she admires. Yet, she also does not want to be complicit if the Democrats suffer significant losses under Biden in the upcoming election. Similarly, Chuck Schumer has reportedly been shown alarming data from a top Democratic fundraising committee indicating Biden is trailing in crucial states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. These states are key to Biden’s path to victory, with additional concerns about Nevada, Georgia, and Arizona potentially slipping away.

President Biden himself has recently revised his stance on what it would take for him to reconsider his campaign. Initially, he stated that “only the Lord Almighty” could make him step down, but he later told BET that he would re-evaluate his campaign if his doctor diagnosed him with a medical condition. Following his recent COVID-19 diagnosis, concerns about his age, health, and fragility have been exacerbated, raising further doubts about his candidacy.

Ultimately, the decision to stand down lies with Biden. He remains dismissive of polls, pointing to past election victories that defied predictions, including Trump’s 2016 win, 2020 victory, and the relatively successful midterm elections for the Democrats. There are still Democrats who fully support Biden and consider him sharp enough to lead.

However, with the Democratic National Convention just a month away, where the nomination will be sealed, it feels like the clock is ticking for Biden to decide.