Washington, D.C. – Despite growing concerns over his age and effectiveness, President Joe Biden is adamant about staying in the 2024 presidential race, according to his spokeswoman. The 80-year-old president’s campaign is facing increasing scrutiny following a challenging debate performance and a rising tide of dissent within his own party.
A recent Associated Press-NORC poll revealed that three-quarters of U.S. adults believe Biden is too old to serve another term effectively. This sentiment is causing anxiety among voters and Democratic leaders alike.
“I panicked. I lie in my bed at night and I’m afraid. I don’t think Joe Biden is the best person to run in this election. I don’t know who would be the best. But I don’t trust Joe Biden can win this election and that scares me a lot,” expressed one concerned voter.
In response to these concerns, Biden held a meeting at the White House with over 20 Democratic governors. The hour-long session, both in-person and virtual, was described as “candid.” Despite concerns over a potential Trump victory in November, the governors pledged their support for Biden.
“The president is our nominee. The president is our party leader,” affirmed Governor Wes Moore of Maryland. He added that Biden was resolute in his determination to win the election.
However, the reassurance from party leaders hasn’t quelled all doubts. Reed Hastings, Netflix co-founder and a significant Democratic donor, publicly called for Biden to step aside to allow a more dynamic Democratic leader to challenge Trump. This call for a change was first reported by The New York Times.
Further fueling the speculation, Representative Jim Clyburn, a longtime Biden ally, suggested a “mini-primary” before the Democratic National Convention next month if Biden were to withdraw. Clyburn proposed this as a way to provide alternative choices for delegates during the Democrats’ planned virtual roll call set to begin on August 19 in Chicago.
On CNN, Clyburn mentioned that Vice President Kamala Harris and several governors could join the competition, describing it as “fair to everybody.” He also expressed concern over Biden’s performance in the recent debate, a sentiment echoed by other Democrats.
Biden’s lack of public appearances in uncontrolled environments has also drawn attention. Throughout his presidency, Biden has held fewer news conferences than any president since Ronald Reagan, according to the White House Transition Project. By June 30, he had conducted 36 news conferences, significantly fewer than Donald Trump and Barack Obama at the same stage of their presidencies.
Biden’s reluctance to engage in spontaneous public appearances was noted in February when he skipped the Super Bowl pregame interview, a recent presidential tradition. Under pressure following his debate performance, Biden has agreed to an interview with George Stephanopoulos of ABC News on Friday and will hold a news conference next week.
Jill Abramson, former executive editor of The New York Times, criticized the press for not holding Biden accountable, describing his debate performance as “ugly and painful.” She argued that the story should have been reported more thoroughly.
Meanwhile, conservative commentators, such as “Fox & Friends” host Ainsley Earhardt, have capitalized on the situation, asserting that concerns over Biden’s capabilities have been apparent for a long time.
As Biden’s campaign navigates these turbulent waters, the question remains whether the president can overcome the mounting skepticism and lead his party to victory in 2024.
