Democrats express doubts over Biden’s re-election bid

President Joe Biden faced a barrage of skepticism from within his own party on Wednesday regarding his plans to seek re-election later this year.

The doubts were underscored by Senator Peter Welch, becoming the first Democratic senator to publicly call for Biden to withdraw from the race.

Biden, 81, is gearing up for a tough electoral battle in November, widely expected to pit him against Republican former-President Donald Trump once again. The calls for withdrawal coincided with Biden hosting NATO leaders in Washington, a critical juncture amid growing domestic political pressure.

In an op-ed published in the Washington Post, Senator Welch highlighted concerns over Biden’s performance during a recent debate with Trump, citing instances where the president appeared to struggle with his delivery and coherence.

“We cannot overlook President Biden’s concerning debate performance,” Welch wrote. “For the sake of our nation, I urge President Biden to step back from the race.”

Joining Welch’s call were Representatives Pat Ryan and Earl Blumenauer, who also publicly urged Biden to reconsider his candidacy on Wednesday. Their statements added to the mounting internal pressure within the Democratic Party.

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Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stopped short of directly urging Biden to continue his bid, instead emphasizing it was ultimately Biden’s decision.

“I want him to do what he decides to do,” Pelosi told MSNBC. “We are all encouraging him to make that decision soon, as time is running short.”

Even Hollywood heavyweight George Clooney weighed in, penning an opinion piece in the New York Times advocating for Biden to withdraw from the race. Clooney, a prominent Democratic fundraiser, echoed concerns about Biden’s recent performance and its implications for the upcoming election.

Despite these calls, Biden has remained steadfast in his commitment to seek re-election, dismissing claims of cognitive decline and characterizing his debate showing as an isolated incident.

“I am continuing with my campaign,” Biden asserted, underscoring his determination to press forward amid the mounting internal scrutiny within his party.

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