Biden under increasing pressure in candidature debate - US-President has Corona
Before the announcement of the Corona infection, Biden answered in an interview with BET about what could make him reconsider his candidacy, saying "(...) if the doctors come to me" and report a "problem." It was the first time he had addressed the possibility of withdrawing from the campaign.
Later, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced Biden's positive Corona test, stating that he had only "mild symptoms." White House Doctor Kevin O'Connor explained that Biden was congested, had a dry cough, and felt generally unwell.
Biden himself told reporters, "I feel good." A visit to Las Vegas was cut short, and he traveled to his beach house in Delaware to isolate. In a message on X, Biden announced that he would continue to "do my job for the American people" during the isolation.
The infection was announced at a time when the debate over Biden's candidacy was once again heating up. It had briefly cooled down after the narrowly failed assassination attempt on Trump, who was subsequently nominated as the Republican Party's candidate for the Presidential Election.
CNN reported that Pelosi had warned Biden in a phone call that he couldn't win the election against Trump based on the polls. According to one of the quoted sources, Biden denied this.
Pelosi reportedly also said that Biden's candidacy could ruin the Democrats' chances of regaining the House majority. The Congressional elections are scheduled for November 5, in addition to the Presidential Election. However, it was unclear from CNN whether Pelosi explicitly urged Biden to withdraw his candidacy.
ABC News reported that Schumer had told Biden it was "better for the country" if he stepped down. A spokesperson for Schumer stated that, as long as the source of the report was neither Schumer nor Biden, it was "speculation."
The Washington Post and the New York Times reported that Schumer, as well as the leader of the Democrats in the House, Hakeem Jeffries, had warned Biden that his candidacy could jeopardize the Democrats' chances in the elections.
Prominent Congressman Adam Schiff joined the ranks of over 20 Democratic congressmen urging Biden publicly to withdraw. Schiff declared in a statement that Biden should "pass the baton," and Schiff, who is known as a powerful kingmaker, expressed "serious doubts about the President's ability to defeat Donald Trump in November."
The discussion about Biden's fitness for a second term was sparked by his erratic and disheveled performance in the televised debate with Trump at the end of June. Since then, Biden has had several gaffes. Biden continues to insist on his candidacy, citing his landslide victory in the Democratic primary elections and his status as the best candidate against Trump.
Officially, Biden has not yet been nominated as the Presidential candidate. The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to take place from August 19-22, but there are plans to hold the vote on the candidate before the convention and conduct it virtually.
The appropriate party committee will discuss the accelerated vote on Friday, as reported by the news agency AFP. The plans are justified by the deadline for the important federal state of Ohio being set before August 7, according to the article.
However, the local governor has now signed a bill with a longer deadline. This law, however, only becomes effective in September. The Democrats are concerned that the deadline of August 7 may still be applied. Some internal party critics accuse the party headquarters of trying to force Biden's candidacy through with the virtual vote. According to the latest survey, 65% of party members wish for Biden's withdrawal.
- Despite the ongoing discussion about his fitness, Joe Biden continues to insist on his candidacy for the Presidential election, citing his landslide victory in the Democratic primary elections.
- The Coronavirus diagnosis of Joe Biden came at a time when his candidacy was once again under scrutiny, following several gaffes and an erratic performance in the televised debate with Donald Trump.
- Nancy Pelosi reportedly warned Biden in a phone call that he might not win the election against Trump based on the polls, but Biden denied this claim.
- White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced Biden's positive Coronavirus test, stating that he had only mild symptoms like a dry cough and feeling unwell.
- CNN reported that Chuck Schumer advised Biden that it would be better for the country if he stepped down, but neither Schumer nor Biden confirmed this report.
- The New York Times and The Washington Post reported that Schumer, along with Hakeem Jeffries, warned Biden that his candidacy could jeopardize the Democrats' chances in the elections.
- Adam Schiff, a prominent Congressman, joined several Democratic congressmen in urging Biden to withdraw, declaring that he should "pass the baton" due to his perceived inability to defeat Donald Trump in November.
- In response to the criticism, Biden traveled to his beach house in Delaware to isolate and continue his campaign, announcing he would "do my job for the American people."
- The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to take place from August 19-22, but there are plans to hold the vote on the presidential candidate before the convention and conduct it virtually.
- There have been internal party criticisms accusing the party headquarters of trying to force Biden's candidacy through the virtual vote, with 65% of party members wishing for his withdrawal.
