Some people close to President Biden said on Thursday that they think he might accept that he can't win in November and may drop out of the race. Many members of his party are anxious and want him to step down.
One person said Biden hasn't decided yet and has been insisting for three weeks that he wouldn't quit. But another said "reality is setting in," and it wouldn't be a surprise if Biden soon endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement.
This information comes from four people close to the president, who asked to remain anonymous. Biden is still in isolation at his vacation home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, after testing positive for Covid on Wednesday.
Other Democrats, not as close to the White House, believe that the president might soon decide to leave the race. Senator Jon Tester of Montana, who is facing a tough re-election, thinks Biden should exit the race. He appreciates Biden's service but believes he should not seek re-election.
Mike Donilon, Biden’s senior adviser, has told the president that the race is still competitive and that there is a path to victory. Biden’s family also supports him staying in the race, noting his history of overcoming challenges.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, one of Biden’s loyal supporters, is pessimistic about his chances. She has told him about her concerns, using polling data and fundraising information to support her case. When Biden said he had polls showing he could win, Pelosi challenged him by asking to speak with Donilon.
The political situation is tense as former President Donald Trump prepares to accept his party’s nomination. Biden is experiencing mild Covid symptoms.
Haiyun Jiang(The New York Times)👆
Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Hakeem Jeffries, the top Democrats in Congress, have told Biden that their members are worried about his chances in November and the impact on House and Senate candidates.
Joe Scarborough, the host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” suggested that Biden should drop out. He mentioned polls showing Democrats struggling in key states and warnings from donors about Biden’s financial support.
At the White House and in the Biden campaign, senior staff members are worried that Biden could lose Virginia, a state that has been reliably Democratic. A senior Biden aide said that there are informal discussions among staff about Biden’s possible exit from the race, which were not happening a few days ago.
However, Quentin Fulks, Biden’s deputy campaign manager, denied that the president is more open to stepping out of the race.
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