President Joe Biden's family is reportedly considering a plan for him to exit the 2024 presidential race due to health concerns and the stability of the country.
The White House and Biden's campaign have denied claims of the president's imminent exit and family discussions of the same, with campaign officials reaffirming his intent to continue his campaign, according to Newsweek.
NBC News reported that talks within the Biden family revolve around concerns related to the president's health and the country's continued stability. The report, based on two unnamed sources, has sparked considerable speculation and scrutiny.
Newsweek noted its inability to independently verify NBC's report and the outlet has reached out to Biden's campaign for further comment. White House spokesman Andrew Bates firmly refuted the report, stating, "That is not happening, period."
While Biden insists that he remains the strongest candidate against Donald Trump, other media reports have surfaced suggesting he is weighing his options amid calls from prominent Democrats and weak polling numbers. Publicly, Biden's commitment to the race remains unchanged.
Concerns have grown since Biden appeared to struggle in a debate with Trump last month, where he battled a cold. Following this, Biden's campaign paused events after he tested positive for COVID-19.
Biden's family discussions reportedly include the timing and strategy of his potential exit from the race, aiming to ensure the Democrats' strong position against Trump. Some reports even suggest Vice President Kamala Harris is being considered as a stronger candidate for the upcoming election.
Despite these discussions, Biden has not altered his stance on continuing his campaign. An increasing number of Democrats have expressed their belief that Biden should step aside, including Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) who recently vocalized this opinion.
Tester shared, "I have worked with President Biden when it has made Montana stronger... I believe President Biden should not seek re-election to another term."
Meena Bose emphasized that Biden's family's recommendations are pivotal in his decision-making process. She stated, "The first lady, their children, and close relatives clearly want President Biden to continue his campaign."
Jen O'Malley Dillon, Biden campaign chair, echoed Biden's commitment to staying in the race. She acknowledged mixed voter reactions but underscored Biden's resolve, "He can do this." Dillon further mentioned, "We know that we've slipped a bit from the debate... Not only that, we have a campaign to do it, but he can do it."
The upcoming Democratic National Convention, scheduled for Aug. 19 to 22, looms large with ongoing uncertainty about Biden's final decision. The implications for the Democratic Party remain a significant backdrop to these discussions.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, Biden's decision will undoubtedly have profound effects on the party and the upcoming election. Observers and party members alike watch closely, weighing the potential outcomes of these deliberations.
