President Joe Biden faces mounting pressure from Democratic leaders to reconsider his candidacy for re-election, especially following a positive COVID-19 test and a lackluster performance in a recent presidential debate in Atlanta. Biden has expressed willingness to step down if medically advised, but Democratic leaders are urging him to withdraw to prevent potential defeats in both the House and Senate.
Biden's campaign has seen a shift in strategy, with the president now questioning whether Vice President Kamala Harris could defeat Republican candidate Donald Trump. This change in attitude comes after private meetings with key Democratic figures like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House of Representatives Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
According to recent polls, a significant majority of Democrats now believe Biden should withdraw from the race. Seven in ten adults, including 65% of Democrats, think Biden should step aside to allow the party to choose another candidate. This sentiment has grown stronger following Biden's performance in the Atlanta debate and his subsequent COVID-19 diagnosis.
Despite the growing calls for his withdrawal, Biden's campaign remains publicly defiant. Kevin Muñoz, Biden's spokesman, asserted that the president remains the Democratic candidate and is determined to win in November. However, private conversations suggest that Biden is more receptive to the idea of stepping down than he has been in public statements.
The Democratic National Committee has also paused its plan for a telematic nomination of the candidate, initially scheduled to be completed before August 7, due to internal dissent. This delay reflects the party's uncertainty and the ongoing debate about Biden's viability as a candidate against Trump.
