U.S. President Joe Biden, currently recuperating from COVID-19 at his residence in Delaware, is reportedly contemplating resigning as a presidential candidate. According to sources cited by Reuters and CNN, Biden is seriously considering this move due to mounting pressure from Democratic Party leaders and concerning poll results.
Numerous Democratic officials, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have urged Biden to step down. Private opinion polls by Blue Rose Research indicate that Biden is likely to suffer a crushing defeat in the upcoming November presidential election, even in traditionally Democratic strongholds like New Jersey.
Pelosi has reportedly warned Biden that his continued candidacy could jeopardize the Democratic Party's chances of retaining the majority in the U.S. Senate. She emphasized this in a recent phone call, pointing to polls showing that Biden could lose to former President Donald Trump in key swing states and other regions he won in 2020.
The question of Biden's mental and physical health has also been a significant concern. A recent survey by the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research revealed that 65% of Democrats believe Biden should withdraw to allow the party to choose another candidate. This sentiment is echoed by 19 Democratic members of the House of Representatives and one senator.
Despite Biden's public stance that he is fit to continue, internal discussions suggest he is becoming more receptive to the idea of stepping down. According to a presidential adviser, Biden has shifted from a stance of defiance to one of inquiry, asking whether Vice President Kamala Harris could win if she were to take his place.
In the interim, the Biden campaign plans to continue its efforts with Vice President Kamala Harris and 'Second Gentleman' Doug Emhoff taking on more prominent roles. Harris is scheduled to speak at a rally in North Carolina, while Emhoff will attend a rally in Arizona. Should Biden recover from COVID-19, he plans to hold a political fundraising event in California starting on the 26th.
