Democrat heavyweights, Obama, edge Biden closer to dropping out
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More news: A flurry of US media reports suggest President Joe Biden is edging closer to dropping out of the US presidential race after pressure from senior Democrats, including his predecessor Barack Obama.
The Washington Post reported on Friday that Obama told key allies he viewed Biden’s chances of defeating Donald Trump in November as increasingly slim, and believed he should consider his future.
Former Speaker US Pelosi has also reportedly told House Democrats that the president could be persuaded to make way for another candidate, after a number of sources suggested she had told the president to leave directly.
Biden, who is currently at home with Covid-19, has been under pressure to make way for another candidate since a disastrous debate performance last month. Reports suggest he is increasingly receptive to the idea he cannot defeat Trump, who he trails in national polls and in key swing states.
Biden expected to be convinced to drop out: Axios
The news: “Several” top Democrats have privately said President Biden is expected to drop out of the presidential race as soon as this weekend due to mounting pressure from party leaders and close allies, according to an Axios report citing unnamed sources.
The numbers: Party leaders, friends and key donors believe - and expect to convince Biden, 81 - that he cannot win, change public perceptions about his age and mental acuity, or secure congressional majorities.
Recent polls show him losing in all of the battleground states. An AP poll this week also showed nearly two-thirds of Democrats want him to withdraw.
The context: The President, who is recovering from Covid at his beach home in Rehoboth, Delaware, remains publicly committed to his re-election campaign, but the pressure is intensifying.
Former President Barrack Obama told allies Biden’s re-election chances have greatly diminished, The Washington Post reported citing people briefed on his thinking.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other key figures have also reportedly urged him to seriously consider stepping down.
Axios reports that top Biden aides, including those who previously encouraged him to continue after his terrible debate performance on 27 June, are now saying it's a matter of when, not if, Biden will announce his withdrawal from the race.
The sources: Axios , Washington Post, The New York Times, CNN
