Biden nears crunch point as pressure grows to drop out (US)A

Rehoboth Beach: US President Joe Biden was allegedly on the verge of pulling out of the presidential campaign Friday, with backers, including Barack Obama, expressing fears that he would no longer be able to win the 2024 election.

The 81-year-old Democrat was locked up at his beach property with Covid, according to several US media sources, as he considered the viability of his reelection attempt in the face of growing opposition within his party.

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According to the New York Times, some individuals close to Biden believe he has begun to understand that he may lose in November to Republican competitor Donald Trump and may have to withdraw, with one stating, “Reality is setting in.”

The insider stated that it would not be surprising if Biden quickly backed Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed him as the Democratic candidate.

Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama allegedly encouraged associates that Biden should “seriously consider the viability of his candidacy,” according to the Washington Post. His office did not respond.

Separately, Axios reported that party leaders said Biden might drop out as soon as this weekend, while NBC described a person close to Biden as saying, “We’re close to the end.”

Biden’s candidacy has been in jeopardy for three weeks, following a terrible television debate with Trump.

However, his team disputed the claims and vowed that he would remain in office.

“He is seeking for reelection. “Baseless conjecture from anonymous sources isn’t a scoop,” campaign official T.J. Ducklo told X.

In a speech in the crucial state of North Carolina, Harris made no mention of the problem but lauded the president, saying the “contrast between Joe Biden and Donald Trump it’s like night and day.”

She also slammed Trump’s chosen running mate, J.D. Vance, calling it the “most existential, consequential, and important election of our lifetime.”

Covid symptoms

While opponent Trump prepares for his big moment at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Thursday, Biden finds himself in both personal and political isolation.

His personal doctor, Kevin O’Connor, stated Thursday that Biden was still suffering moderate Covid symptoms and was taking the medication Paxlovid, but that his vital signs were normal.

“He will continue to conduct the business of the American people,” O’Connor stated in a letter issued by the White House.

His Covid diagnosis arrived at the worst possible time for his campaign, forcing him to cancel a trip to Las Vegas and stay at his vacation home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

Biden assured reporters on Wednesday that he was “doing well,” but he later appeared fragile as he carefully descended the steps of Air Force One.

The number of Democrats speaking out against Biden is increasing, with 20 members of the House publicly calling on him to go.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries allegedly visited with Biden in recent days to warn him that his candidacy jeopardizes his party’s chances in the November election.

According to CNN and the New York Times, influential former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi exacerbated Biden’s troubles by privately advising him he cannot win and might jeopardize Democrats’ hopes of recapturing the lower house.

Meanwhile, White House National Security Spokesman John Kirby stated that despite the political turbulence and Biden’s sickness, his team was keeping him “up to speed.”

However, the contrast with Donald Trump could hardly be greater, with Trump ready to formally accept the Republican nomination in Milwaukee as Biden hunkers down.

Republicans have become more united after former President Trump, who at 78 is only three years younger than Biden, survived an assassination attempt on Saturday that left him with a bandaged ear.