Obama & Other Top Dems Pressure Biden to Withdraw from 2024 Re-Election Bid

Obama & Other Top Dems Pressure Biden to Withdraw from 2024 Re-Election Bid

Edited by:  Fern Sidman

A new report has surfaced indicating that former President Barack Obama is pressuring President Joe Biden to reconsider his decision to run for re-election in 2024. The revelation highlights growing concerns within the Democratic Party about Biden’s ability to secure a victory against potential Republican challenger Donald Trump.

According to the Washington Post, Obama and Biden have only spoken once since Biden’s less-than-stellar performance in the June 27 debate. During this conversation, Obama reportedly emphasized that Biden’s chances of defeating Trump had “greatly diminished,” according to a report on Thursday in The New York Post. Obama’s intervention is a significant development, highlighting his deep concern for the Democratic Party’s prospects in the upcoming election.

Obama, while acknowledging the importance of Biden’s legacy, made it clear that the final decision to run or withdraw rests solely with his former vice president. “Our campaign is not working through any scenarios where President Biden is not at the top of the ticket. He is and will be the Democratic nominee,” stated Quentin Fulks, the principal deputy campaign manager for the Biden-Harris campaign, as was reported by The Post. Fulks reiterated Biden’s commitment to the race, emphasizing that the president has consistently affirmed his intention to run for a second term.

Fulks sought to dispel any doubts about Biden’s candidacy during a counter-programming press conference in Milwaukee, held alongside the Republican National Convention. “The president has said it several times: He’s staying in this race,” Fulks asserted, as was indicated in The Post report.  He added that he communicates with Biden daily, often receiving fact-checks and updates from the president himself. This statement seeks to project a sense of confidence and continuity within the Biden campaign despite the swirling speculation.

Reactions to Obama’s reported concerns have varied, but they have certainly added fuel to the ongoing debate about Biden’s viability as a candidate. Notably, CNN political commentator and former Bill Clinton strategist Paul Begala expressed a rather bleak outlook for Biden’s re-election campaign. “I’ve been talking to a lot of people, a lot of members in the Senate and House, major donors, activists, party chairs, and I got to tell you, I think I‘ve come across one who is still ridin’ for Biden,” Begala candidly stated on CNN, as was noted in The Post report.  His comments reflect a broader sentiment of uncertainty and doubt among Democratic insiders.

The Democratic Party now faces a critical juncture. With Obama’s intervention, there is increasing pressure on Biden to reassess his position and consider the potential ramifications of his candidacy on the party’s chances in 2024. The next few months will likely be pivotal as Biden navigates internal party dynamics, external political pressures, and the broader electoral landscape.

Despite the escalating calls for his withdrawal, Biden has so far resisted stepping down. This resistance comes in the face of concerted efforts by a significant faction within the Democratic Party. New reports indicate that these leaders are making a concerted push to convince Biden to step aside, fearing that his continued candidacy could jeopardize the party’s chances in the 2024 election.

Biden’s support is not only waning among donors but also within key Democratic strongholds and swing states. According to Begala, this erosion of support is a significant red flag. The loss of backing from traditional Democratic bases and critical swing state voters could spell disaster for Biden’s campaign, making it increasingly difficult to secure a victory against Trump.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is among the prominent Democratic leaders who have privately expressed doubts about Biden’s re-election prospects. According to a CNN report, Pelosi conveyed to President Biden that polling data indicated he could not defeat Donald Trump in the 2024 election. Pelosi warned that Biden’s continued campaign could jeopardize the Democrats’ chances of retaining the House in the upcoming November elections.

The Post report said that during their private conversation, Pelosi referred to multiple polls suggesting that Trump would prevail over Biden in a head-to-head matchup. The California congresswoman’s concerns were backed by significant data, which she discussed with Biden, highlighting the potential risks of his re-election bid.

In response to Pelosi’s concerns, Biden reportedly pushed back, asserting that the polling data he had seen pointed towards a successful re-election campaign. The Post also reported that a source familiar with the conversation described Biden’s reaction as “defensive.” The call became more detailed when Pelosi brought in Mike Donilon, Biden’s longtime adviser, to discuss the disappointing polling data further.

Pelosi’s warning is not an isolated instance. She is the third major Democratic leader to express apprehensions about Biden’s chances of winning, especially after his performance in the recent debate against Trump. The former House Speaker’s involvement underscores the seriousness of the situation and the potential ramifications for the Democratic Party.

On Saturday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) delivered a forceful message to President Biden, encouraging him to step aside for the betterment of the party and the country. According to ABC News’ Jonathan Karl, Schumer emphasized that bowing out would be beneficial not only for Biden but also for the Democratic Party’s chances in the upcoming election, The Post report said. The argument was bolstered by dismal polling numbers, including one poll that showed Biden trailing behind his own party members.

While Pelosi and Schumer have refrained from publicly demanding Biden’s withdrawal, the sentiment is gaining traction among other Democratic members of Congress. To date, 21 Democratic lawmakers have publicly urged Biden to step aside. Notably, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) has become the highest-ranking party leader to advocate for passing the torch, publicly declaring on Wednesday that it is time for new leadership, as per The Post report.

Despite initial defensiveness, insiders suggest that the private arguments from Pelosi and Schumer have begun to sway Biden. Reports indicate that Biden is becoming more receptive to the idea of stepping down, though he remains conflicted about the decision. The  Post reported that the discussions have also included considerations about potential successors, with Vice President Kamala Harris being a prominent contender.

One senior Democratic adviser revealed to CNN that Biden’s stance on Harris has evolved from skepticism to consideration. “He’s gone from saying ‘Kamala can’t win’ to ‘Do you think Kamala can win?’” This shift suggests that Biden is seriously contemplating the implications of his departure and the potential of Harris or another candidate leading the ticket.

The party faces a critical choice: support the incumbent president despite dwindling support and bleak polling numbers, or rally behind a new candidate who can unify the party and mount a robust challenge against the Republican contender. Biden’s decision will be a defining moment in American politics, setting the stage for a consequential election battle.

Recent reports suggest that President Biden remains publicly committed to his re-election campaign. A person close to the president, speaking to the New York Times, stated that while Biden “is willing to listen” to concerns from party leaders, there is no indication that he is considering dropping out at this point.

The White House has consistently reaffirmed Biden’s intention to seek a second term. In response to queries from The Post, the administration reiterated that “President Biden is the nominee of the party.” The report in The Post said that White House spokesperson Andrew Bates emphasized Biden’s commitment to winning the election and working with congressional Democrats to advance his agenda for the first 100 days, focused on helping working families.

In a notable development, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced a delay in the plans to virtually nominate Biden for a second term. According to The Post report, this decision followed a private request from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for more time to deliberate. Schumer’s intervention signals significant internal discussions and a careful reassessment of the party’s strategy moving forward.