Former President Barack Obama asserted on Thursday that Joe Biden should seriously weigh his candidacy for the upcoming elections, as the path to a Democratic victory has significantly narrowed. According to the Washington Post, the former president has expressed concerns to his allies that the polls are drifting away from Biden while Trump's electoral trajectory is expanding, and donors are withdrawing support from the president.
Obama, who sees his role as an advisor, has been clear that his main concern is to protect Biden and his legacy, emphasizing that the decision regarding the candidacy should be made solely by Biden. The American newspaper reports that they have only spoken once since the disastrous debate with Trump, in which Biden delivered a poor performance. Obama quickly defended him, saying that bad nights happen, but has since remained silent. Behind the scenes, however, he is actively engaged in discussions about the future of Biden's campaign.
Concern is growing within the Democratic Party as Biden's national poll numbers continue to decline, even in northern states. "Democratic donors, activists, and elected officials are increasingly turning to a small group of veteran elected leaders to help navigate the crisis created by Biden's failed performance in the June 27 debate," the article notes. More voices are urging the president to drop his re-election bid.
One such voice is the renowned actor George Clooney, a well-known Democratic activist and personal friend of Biden, who published an article in the New York Times stating that Biden is too old to continue leading the country and warned that if he does not step aside, the party will lose the election. "I love Joe Biden. As a senator, as vice president, and as president. I consider him a friend and believe in him. I believe in his character. I believe in his morals. In the past four years, he has won many of the battles he faced. But the one battle he can't win is the fight against time. None of us can," he wrote.
The Hollywood star referred to a recent fundraising event for Biden held in June, where he observed the president's decline. "It's devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I saw three weeks ago at the fundraising event was not the Joe Biden of 2010. He wasn't even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all saw in the debate," he asserted.
"It’s about age. Nothing more, but nothing that can be reversed either. We are not going to win in November with this president," he emphasized.
Key Questions About Biden's Re-Election Bid
Given the concerns surrounding Joe Biden's candidacy for re-election, many questions have arisen. Here are some of the most pertinent questions and answers about the situation.
Why is Barack Obama urging Joe Biden to reconsider his candidacy?
Obama is concerned that Biden's declining poll numbers and the withdrawal of donor support could jeopardize the Democratic Party's chances of winning the upcoming election.
What are the main concerns of Democratic donors and activists?
Donors and activists are worried about Biden's poor performance in recent debates and his overall declining popularity, which they fear could lead to a loss in the upcoming election.
What did George Clooney say about Joe Biden?
George Clooney expressed his belief that Biden, due to his age, is no longer fit to lead the country and warned that continuing his campaign could result in a loss for the Democratic Party.