Biden Likely to Drop Out as Soon as This Weekend Amid Democrats' Rising Pressure and Poor Poll Numbers
1min read After a disappointing performance in the first 2024 presidential debate two weeks ago and Trump's surprising survival from the assassination attempt, many believe Biden is unlikely to win and may need to drop out to make way for better Democratic candidates.
Several top Democrats privately believe that President Biden is facing increasing pressure from party leaders and close friends to drop out of the presidential race, potentially as soon as this weekend, according to Axios.
The 81-year-old president, now self-isolating with COVID, remains publicly committed to his campaign. However, privately, he is reportedly resigned to the mounting pressure, poor poll numbers, and intense scrutiny that make it challenging to continue his run, according to sources within the Democratic Party.
Based on the report, Democratic top leaders, Biden's close friends, and key donors believe he cannot win, change public perceptions about his age and mental acuity, or deliver congressional majorities. The president is being told that if he stays in the race, former President Trump could win in a landslide, erasing Biden's legacy and the Democrats' hopes in the November elections.
Democrats expect that polls following the Republican National Convention will show a significant lead for Trump, potentially jeopardizing Democratic control of Congress. A close friend of the president stated, His choice is to be one of history's heroes or to face the reality that there will never be a Biden presidential library. This sentiment is echoed by many within the party who are urging Biden to make the right decision.
A recent AP poll indicates that nearly two-thirds of Democrats want Biden to withdraw from the race, sending shockwaves through the White House and Congress. The campaign to persuade Biden to step down has been relentless and highly coordinated. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer reportedly told Biden that it would be best for him to drop out, especially in light of the assassination attempt on Trump. Democrats on Capitol Hill are also concerned that if Biden remains in the race, they will lose winnable seats.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has also tried to convince Biden to withdraw. She has warned that his continued candidacy could ruin Democrats' chances of regaining control of the House. She is also worried about the potential impact on campaign donations. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has delivered a similar message to Biden, albeit more subtly.
Former President Obama and the Clintons have notably refrained from publicly supporting Biden, and their aides have been critical of him in public. Additionally, some of Biden's top aides, who initially encouraged him to continue his campaign, are now suggesting that it is a matter of when, not if, Biden announces he is not running.