President Joe Biden faced increased media pressure to step down from the 2024 presidential race following his debate performance against former President Donald Trump in Atlanta. The debate, held on June 27, has sparked significant fallout, with many questioning Biden’s ability to continue his campaign.
Biden met with his family at Camp David on Sunday, a meeting that was scheduled before the debate but has now taken on new significance. Insiders suggest that the discussion may include talks about his political future. Despite the mounting pressure, it is ultimately up to Biden and First Lady Jill Biden to make any final decisions about his candidacy. The couple’s children and grandchildren were also present at the retreat.
An administration official attempted to downplay the significance of the meeting, stating that it had been planned for weeks and was not specifically about Biden stepping down. However, the official did not deny that the subject might come up. NBC News reported that Biden felt “humiliated” and “devoid of confidence” following the debate, relying heavily on his family for support.
In public appearances following the debate, Biden and his campaign have shown no signs of changing course. At a rally in North Carolina, Biden addressed the criticism of his debate performance, acknowledging his physical and verbal limitations but emphasizing his commitment to truth. His campaign has dismissed the criticism as a media frenzy, with campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon stating that the data in battleground states tells a different story.
However, the debate has caused concern among Democratic National Committee members and Biden’s campaign staff. Some members expressed frustration over the lack of substantive discussion about the debate’s impact. Despite these concerns, Democratic lawmakers have largely remained publicly supportive of Biden’s campaign.
Several senior party allies, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Representative Jim Clyburn, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul, defended Biden on political talk shows. Hochul praised Biden’s energy and alertness at a rally the day after the debate, while Pelosi criticized Trump and defended Biden’s integrity.
Vice President Kamala Harris also reiterated her support for Biden, dismissing rumors that she might replace him. At a fundraiser in California, Harris sought to reassure donors of their chances in the upcoming election, emphasizing their past successes.
Biden himself appealed to donors at events in New York and New Jersey, promising victory in the election. However, flash polls conducted after the debate showed low confidence in Biden’s future, with his approval rating weakening since he took office. Concerns about his age and handling of crises have come under increased scrutiny.
The path forward for Democrats is uncertain. None of Biden’s potential replacements have garnered more support than the president himself, and the threat of a Trump presidency looms large. Sunday’s internal meeting at Camp David could provide more insight into Biden’s plans for the election year.
Media pundits and editorial boards have joined the chorus urging Biden to step aside. Editorials from the New York Times, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The New Yorker have called for Biden to withdraw from the race, suggesting that other Democratic leaders might be better equipped to defeat Trump. The New Yorker named potential candidates like Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Senator Raphael Warnock, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Maryland Governor Wes Moore as possible alternatives.
MSNBC host Joe Scarborough questioned Biden’s ability to run for president, a particularly damaging critique given Biden’s frequent viewership of “Morning Joe.” New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman echoed this sentiment, expressing sorrow over Biden’s debate performance.
While some media outlets have called for Biden to step down, others have shifted the scrutiny to Trump. The Philadelphia Inquirer argued that Trump should be the one to withdraw from the race.
Despite the media pressure, Biden relies on a small group of loyal companions who propelled his 2020 bid for the White House. Key Biden surrogates have sought to downplay calls for the president to retire, using cable TV to reassure the public.
The debate has intensified the scrutiny on Biden’s campaign, but the ultimate decision about his candidacy will likely come from his close-knit circle of advisors and family. As the election year progresses, the pressure on Biden to step down or continue will only increase.
Source: NBC News, The New York Times, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The New Yorker, MSNBC, The Philadelphia Inquirer
