Finally, it’s done! Several sources close to President Joe Biden have indicated that he is increasingly coming to terms with the possibility of stepping down from the 2024 presidential race. According to a report from The New York Times, these insiders suggest that President Biden might soon announce his decision to withdraw from the campaign as the pressure from within his party continues to build.
President Biden, who is currently in isolation at his vacation home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, after testing positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, has faced mounting scrutiny and calls for him to consider relinquishing his candidacy. Despite having staunchly resisted such suggestions over the past three weeks, insiders now believe that Biden may be on the verge of making a significant announcement regarding his future in the race.
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One individual close to the president cautioned that Biden has not yet finalized any decision to withdraw, noting that he has maintained a firm stance on continuing his campaign. However, another source reported that “reality is setting in” for the president and suggested that an endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor could be forthcoming.
This evolving situation has sparked a broader conversation among Democrats about the future of the 2024 presidential race. While some party members have previously been disheartened by the prospect of persuading Biden to step aside, recent developments have led to increased optimism that he might soon change his stance.
Adding to the growing chorus of voices urging Biden to reconsider his candidacy, Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland issued a public letter on July 6, urging the president to engage with fellow Democrats about the feasibility of his campaign. In the letter, Raskin drew a comparison to a baseball pitcher nearing the end of his career, emphasizing the critical nature of the upcoming election. “Everything we believe in is on the line in the next four and a half months,” Raskin wrote.
Senator Jon Tester of Montana, who is currently facing a challenging re-election campaign, also weighed in on the debate on Thursday. Tester publicly expressed his belief that President Biden should not seek a second term, citing both the importance of the upcoming election and the necessity for new leadership.
As the political landscape continues to shift, the coming days may bring a decisive moment for President Biden and the Democratic Party. While speculation abounds, the president’s current health and isolation due to COVID-19 add another layer of uncertainty to this already delicate situation.
Key Points
- Growing Acceptance of Withdrawal:
- Sources close to President Joe Biden suggest that he is beginning to accept the possibility of stepping down from the 2024 presidential race.
- The New York Times reports that Biden might soon make an announcement about ending his campaign and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor.
- Biden’s Current Situation:
- President Biden is currently in isolation at his Rehoboth Beach, Delaware vacation home after testing positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday.
- Insiders’ Perspectives:
- While Biden has previously been firm about continuing his campaign, some insiders believe he is now facing the reality of his challenging position and the mounting pressure to withdraw.
- Public and Party Pressure:
- There is increasing pressure from within the Democratic Party for Biden to reconsider his candidacy.
- This shift comes after a period of skepticism about whether Biden would step aside.
- Calls for Biden to Withdraw:
- Representative Jamie Raskin: In a July 6 letter, Raskin compared Biden to a baseball pitcher nearing the end of his career and urged him to consult with fellow Democrats about his future in the race.
- Senator Jon Tester: On July 18, Tester publicly stated that he believes Biden should not seek re-election, citing the importance of new leadership for the upcoming election.
- Potential for a Leadership Transition:
- There is speculation that Biden might endorse Kamala Harris as his replacement if he decides to step down from the race.
- Political Climate and Reactions:
- The situation remains fluid and delicate, with many Democrats hopeful but cautious about the possibility of Biden withdrawing from the race.
