President Joe Biden's re-election campaign is facing significant challenges as concerns about his age and fitness grow among his allies.
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Actor George Clooney, a leading donor, and several top Democrats have publicly urged Biden to step aside. In an article published in The New York Times, Clooney criticized Biden's performance at a recent fundraiser, stating, "He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020." Clooney believes Biden cannot win against Donald Trump in the upcoming election and that Democrats risk losing the presidency, House, and Senate if Biden remains on the ticket. Clooney said, "We’re all so terrified by the prospect of a second Trump term that we’ve opted to ignore every warning sign."
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Senator Peter Welch of Vermont became the first member of the Senate to call on Biden to quit the race, writing in The Washington Post, "We cannot unsee President Biden’s disastrous debate performance." Welch acknowledged Biden's past success but expressed doubts about his current viability, stating, "In my view, he is not."
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Other Democratic figures, including Representatives Earl Blumenauer and Pat Ryan, and New York Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, have also urged Biden to withdraw. So far, ten Democratic lawmakers have publicly asked Biden to step aside, with others privately expressing concerns.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi did not definitively support Biden's candidacy in a recent interview, urging him to make a decision soon: "We’re all encouraging him to make that decision because time is running short."
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Despite these calls, Biden has repeatedly insisted he will not drop out. He plans to hold a rare news conference to address these concerns and reinforce his position. Biden's re-election prospects have dimmed recently due to concerns over his age and economic dissatisfaction, with recent polls showing Trump leading both nationwide and in key states. The Cook Political Report recently reclassified key swing states Arizona, Georgia, and Nevada from "toss-up" to "lean Republican."
A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 59% of registered Democratic voters believe Biden is too old for office, and one-third think he should step aside. If Biden were to withdraw, it would lead to an unprecedented situation as the primary season has ended. The Democratic candidate will be finalized at the convention next month. Vice President Kamala Harris is considered a likely replacement, though polls show her performing similarly to Biden against Trump.