Incumbent US President Joe Biden is facing significant scrutiny from within his own party as the 2024 US election approaches. The recent TV debate against Donald Trump sparked an outcry, with many questioning Biden's ability to serve another term. Speculations about his health, including rumors of dementia or Parkinson's disease, have been rampant. During the debate, Biden appeared incoherent and confused, which led to further doubts about his candidacy. However, Biden and his team attributed his performance to a bad day, with Biden asserting in an interview that he remains in good shape.
Contrary to his debate performance, Biden delivered a powerful speech at the NATO summit in Washington, marking the 75th anniversary of the organization. His speech was well-received by both Democrats and some Republicans, with former Republican congressman David Jolly calling it 'incredible.' Democratic activist Harry Sisson also praised the speech on social media. This strong performance has led to a renewed sense of confidence among his supporters.
Despite this newfound support, there are still calls within the Democratic Party for Biden to step down. According to Newsweek, at least ten Democratic members of the House of Representatives have suggested that Biden withdraw from the race. However, some former opponents within the party are now rallying behind him. Democratic Representative Jerrold Nadler, who previously called for Biden's resignation, has since changed his stance, declaring Biden the best and only candidate to beat Trump.
Biden himself remains confident about his chances in the 2024 election. In an interview with MSNBC, he stated, 'I'm not going anywhere,' and expressed his belief that he is the best candidate to defeat Trump. Polls indicate that his debate performance had minimal impact, with Trump leading by just one percentage point in a CBS News/YouGov poll.
However, doubts about Biden's candidacy persist. Actor George Clooney, a prominent Democratic fundraiser, has publicly called for Biden to withdraw, citing concerns about his health and ability to win against Trump. Clooney's column in the New York Times emphasized the need for Democratic leaders to ask Biden to step down voluntarily. He warned that continuing with Biden could result in losses in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Names like Kamala Harris and Michelle Obama have been floated as potential replacements should Biden withdraw. Clooney argued that the Democratic convention next month would be an opportune time for another candidate to emerge. He concluded by acknowledging Biden's past achievements but stressed that a new candidate is needed to secure victory in 2024.
