Top Democrats believe that President Joe Biden could exit the 2024 election as soon as this weekend, according to a report from Axios. Although the names of these Democrats were not disclosed by Axios, this speculation comes amid increasing public and private pressure from prominent members of Biden’s own party, urging him to pass the torch to another candidate.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and numerous other congressional Democrats have reportedly been encouraging Biden to step aside. While their comments have been somewhat cautious, the calls for him to leave the race have grown louder, with Vice President Kamala Harris seemingly ready to step in.
Axios reports that Biden has privately suggested he might yield to the mounting pressure due to poor poll numbers and the urging of his peers, despite his earlier commitment to remain in the race and serve another four-year term. On Wednesday, Biden mentioned he would consider stepping aside if faced with a serious “medical condition.” Later that day, he canceled all his Nevada campaign events after being diagnosed with COVID-19.
“His choice is to be one of history’s heroes, or to ensure there will never be a Biden presidential library,” a close friend of Biden told Axios. “I pray that he does the right thing. He’s leaning in that direction.”
Calls for Biden to drop out have intensified since his disastrous debate against Donald Trump. During the late June debate, Biden appeared forgetful, confused, and incoherent at times.