Washington, July 19, 2024, The Europe Today: President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign is facing increasing pressure amid reported concerns from former President Barack Obama, a growing sense of unease among Democrats, and recent polls indicating that former President Donald Trump is gaining an advantage.
Several Democrats have expressed a bleak outlook regarding Biden’s prospects. A senior party official told the BBC that many within the party believe Biden stepping down is “inevitable.” According to the Washington Post, Obama has privately expressed doubts about Biden’s chances, though spokespeople for the former president have declined to comment.
The latest high-profile Democrat to withdraw support for Biden is Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown. On Friday, Brown issued a statement emphasizing his commitment to his constituents and suggesting that Biden should end his campaign. “I agree with the many Ohioans who have reached out to me. At this critical time, our full attention must return to these important issues. I think the President should end his campaign,” Brown stated.
This development follows reports that former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the two senior-most Democrats in Congress, Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer, had advised Biden to reconsider his candidacy for the good of the party. However, all three have denied these reports.
In addition to the political challenges, President Biden is currently experiencing mild upper respiratory symptoms associated with COVID-19, though he does not have a fever, according to presidential doctor Kevin O’Connor. Despite his illness, the White House announced that Biden is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon his arrival in the US on Wednesday.
