US President Joe Biden is facing increasing opposition to continue the race for the White House as the Democratic Party candidate. His lackluster performance in the first debate with Donald Trump, in which the incumbent often lost his train of thought and became confused, led even members of his own party to call for his withdrawal.
High-ranking Democrats doubt Biden
In an online meeting on Sunday, several members of the US Congress from Biden's party expressed uncertainty about the president's ability to defeat Republican candidate Donald Trump in November. A number of American media reported on the meeting, adding that the participants held high positions in Congress.
At the meeting, organized by House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, there was a consensus that the party's chances of retaining its positions in the White House and in Congress would be much greater if Biden were to be replaced, writes the "New York Times". Democrat Susan Wild of Pennsylvania has expressed concerns "which match those of American voters about how electable Biden is,", the media also notes.
Opportunity for Biden to quit himself
At the same time, a number of senior Democrats have publicly assured that they support Biden for a second term and believe that he should remain their party's candidate for the November election. The president also received the support of two very important groups in Congress - that of black representatives and that of Latin Americans. Although many have publicly announced their support for Biden, however, in confidential correspondence, which the New York Times, Washington Post, and Politico write about. and CNN, Democrats express concern that Biden can win the presidential election at all.
Those Democrats who doubt the incumbent will be able to defeat Trump in November want to give him an opportunity to drop out of the race at will before publicly urging him to do so, the New York Times reported. York Times". At the same time, they realize that it may prove impossible to convince voters that he is not too old for the job.
"Only God" can refuse it?
After Biden's poor performance in the debate against Trump, the concerns of his party members continue to grow. However, the US president commented in an interview with ABC television that he still thinks he is the most capable candidate who can beat Trump. Biden even stated that "only God" may cause him to abandon the campaign. At the same time, Biden made another slip in the interview, saying he was "proud" to be "the first black woman in office under a black president".
On CNN, Democratic Congressman Jerry Connelly of Virginia said he hoped Biden didn't mean his statement about God seriously. According to the Democrat, elections are a human process, not a divine one, and now Biden is faced with difficult decisions, the Washington Post writes.
To demonstrate that he is "still the same Joe Biden"
In recent days, Biden has continued to campaign and gather supporters at events, but signs that he faces serious challenges are evident. At an event in Wisconsin, he was greeted with a standing ovation, but several attendees said they only came because they were concerned about his health and wanted him to quit, the Washington Post explained.
One of his most serious supporters - Senator Chris Murphy from Connecticut, however, avoided answering directly the question of whether, in his opinion, Biden should give up. Instead, Murphy said he thinks the president needs to "address the concerns of voters by showing them that he is still "the same Joe Biden.".
In Murphy's words, the coming week will be key. The NATO summit will be held in Washington, ARD recalls. The American president is expected to give a big press conference. "He has to try to convince people of his abilities, including by speaking without pre-written speeches," Senator Murphy told CNN.
Editor: Mina Kirkova