Biden’s health and age under even further scrutiny amid questions over his political future
As President Joe Biden isolates at his Delaware beach home after testing positive for Covid-19, he is growing increasingly isolated from many corners of his Democratic Party as he faces deepening questions about whether he should continue his reelection c
As President Joe Biden isolates at his beach home in Delaware after testing positive for Covid-19, he finds himself increasingly alienated within his own Democratic Party. Deepening doubts are emerging about his viability as a candidate for reelection in 2024, coinciding with a rise in calls for him to withdraw from the race. News of Biden's positive test came on Wednesday, amplifying concerns within the party regarding his ability to defeat former President Donald Trump, as highlighted in a CNN report.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reportedly conveyed to Biden that current polling indicates he would struggle to win against Trump, positing that continuing his campaign could jeopardize Democratic prospects for reclaiming the House. Biden's recent debate performance has intensified scrutiny over his age and health—issues that have haunted him since he first entered the presidential race in 2019.
In the past week, several incidents have raised alarms among party members about Biden's sharpness, including an interview with BET that aired late Wednesday. In it, Biden claimed that only a “medical condition” would prompt him to withdraw from the race—just a day before he tested positive for Covid-19. During the interview, he mistakenly referred to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin by his title instead of his name, saying, “For example, look at the heat I’m getting because I named a, uh … the — secretary of defense, a Black man.”
The White House reported that Biden is experiencing mild upper respiratory symptoms as a result of his Covid infection. Footage from his departure from Las Vegas showed him slowly climbing the steps to Air Force One, taking a moment to steady himself halfway up. On Thursday, Biden's physician noted he continues to have mild symptoms but is not running a fever.
A recent polling memo indicates widespread concerns about Biden’s fitness for office, highlighting that even among his 2020 supporters, confidence in his ability to serve a second term is low. An AP-NORC poll revealed only 14% of Americans, and 27% of Democrats, expressed high confidence in his mental capacity as president. Moreover, the internal polling suggests a shifting battleground in state races, with several traditionally Democratic areas becoming competitive against Trump.
Over the last week, Biden has demonstrated other potential missteps that have exacerbated party fears about his campaign viability. Mistakes during a NATO summit, including confusing key leaders' identities and misstatements regarding his race intentions, have drawn concern from lawmakers. Conversations over the weekend reportedly left many Democrats feeling uneasy regarding Biden's ability to secure a win in the upcoming election.
While some Democratic lawmakers are calling for a rethink, Biden's campaign manager remains adamant that the president will be the nominee. "We’re not considering scenarios where Biden is not the top candidate," Deputy Campaign Manager Quentin Fulks stated, asserting Biden's commitment to the race.
Despite maintaining a public front, multiple Democratic sources suggest that Biden is more receptive behind closed doors to the concerns of his party. While the Biden campaign defends his position, the pressure for a reevaluation of his candidacy continues to mount as party members express their rising doubts about his electability in 2024.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reportedly conveyed to Biden that current polling indicates he would struggle to win against Trump, positing that continuing his campaign could jeopardize Democratic prospects for reclaiming the House. Biden's recent debate performance has intensified scrutiny over his age and health—issues that have haunted him since he first entered the presidential race in 2019.
In the past week, several incidents have raised alarms among party members about Biden's sharpness, including an interview with BET that aired late Wednesday. In it, Biden claimed that only a “medical condition” would prompt him to withdraw from the race—just a day before he tested positive for Covid-19. During the interview, he mistakenly referred to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin by his title instead of his name, saying, “For example, look at the heat I’m getting because I named a, uh … the — secretary of defense, a Black man.”
The White House reported that Biden is experiencing mild upper respiratory symptoms as a result of his Covid infection. Footage from his departure from Las Vegas showed him slowly climbing the steps to Air Force One, taking a moment to steady himself halfway up. On Thursday, Biden's physician noted he continues to have mild symptoms but is not running a fever.
A recent polling memo indicates widespread concerns about Biden’s fitness for office, highlighting that even among his 2020 supporters, confidence in his ability to serve a second term is low. An AP-NORC poll revealed only 14% of Americans, and 27% of Democrats, expressed high confidence in his mental capacity as president. Moreover, the internal polling suggests a shifting battleground in state races, with several traditionally Democratic areas becoming competitive against Trump.
Over the last week, Biden has demonstrated other potential missteps that have exacerbated party fears about his campaign viability. Mistakes during a NATO summit, including confusing key leaders' identities and misstatements regarding his race intentions, have drawn concern from lawmakers. Conversations over the weekend reportedly left many Democrats feeling uneasy regarding Biden's ability to secure a win in the upcoming election.
While some Democratic lawmakers are calling for a rethink, Biden's campaign manager remains adamant that the president will be the nominee. "We’re not considering scenarios where Biden is not the top candidate," Deputy Campaign Manager Quentin Fulks stated, asserting Biden's commitment to the race.
Despite maintaining a public front, multiple Democratic sources suggest that Biden is more receptive behind closed doors to the concerns of his party. While the Biden campaign defends his position, the pressure for a reevaluation of his candidacy continues to mount as party members express their rising doubts about his electability in 2024.