US campaign - Does Biden's retreat loom? Pressure on presidents immense
In the US presidential campaign, signs are growing that Democratic President Joe Biden may be considering stepping down from the race for a second term. Facing immense pressure from within his own party, the 81-year-old reportedly hasn't ruled out a withdrawal according to media reports. Even the first tier of Democrats are said to have attempted to persuade Biden to step down.
As a potential replacement, Biden's Vice President Kamala Harris has been increasingly brought into focus. Harris, who has been notably absent during the campaign, has received public praise from some of her Democratic colleagues in recent days.
Biden retreated to his private home in Rehoboth, Delaware, after contracting the Coronavirus. He has not been holding any public engagements. Publicly, he has rejected withdrawal calls, and his campaign team continues to insist he has no intention of dropping out.
Media: Biden's inner circle believes his withdrawal is possible
The "New York Times" reported, citing multiple sources close to Biden, that the 81-year-old seems to be gradually accepting that he may need to abandon his campaign. However, no decision has been made. One person told the report it would not be surprising if Biden were to announce Harris as his replacement for the November election instead. Similar sentiments were also reported by "The Hill." In this report, it was also mentioned that well-connected Democrats expected Biden to make an announcement about his political future soon.
NBC News reported that members of Biden's family have been discussing potential scenarios for a withdrawal and its implications. The network cited two anonymous sources privy to the conversations. Discussions centered around the impact on the campaign, Biden's health, his family, and the stability of the country.
After the attempted assassination of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, the debate about Biden's fitness for a second term briefly took a back seat - it returned with full force in the following week. The Coronavirus infection of the President, which forced him to cancel his campaign tour, gave him time to reflect.
Vice President Kamala Harris in the Spotlight
As discussions about a potential Biden replacement emerged, the name of Biden's Vice President, who had been notably absent, did not come up first. However, in recent days, the eyes of Democrats have increasingly turned to Harris. Some of her Democratic colleagues have publicly praised her performance.
Biden himself praised Harris' achievements during a campaign rally before Black voters and voters. He said, "She's not only an excellent Vice President, she could also be President of the United States." Biden emphasized repeatedly what Harris and he had accomplished together.
Harris is the first Black woman to have taken the oath of office as US Vice President. Her father immigrated to the US to study economics. Her mother - a cancer researcher and civil rights activist - came from India. As Vice President, Harris is seen as a natural successor to Biden. The Democrats would need compelling reasons to overlook the first Black Vice President.
Both Trump and the Republicans have taken shots at Harris in the campaign. The Democrats are beginning to rally around Kamala Harris as it is no longer deniable that Joe Biden is unfit for the job, according to a campaign email for Trump sent over two weeks ago.
Concerns from the top of the Party
The fact that public statements from some of the most influential Democrats in the country have almost simultaneously emerged, should not be a coincidence.
The "Washington Post" reported that the former President Barack Obama, who was Biden's vice president at the time, told trusted persons that Biden's chances of winning the election had significantly decreased and he should consider withdrawing from his candidacy.
CNN reported that the top Democratic politician and close confidant of Biden, Nancy Pelosi, told the President in a private conversation that he could not beat Trump in the race for the White House. She has publicly remained neutral towards him but has not publicly supported him either.
According to reports, other leading Democrats have also reportedly expressed doubts about Biden. The two leading Democrats in the US Congress, Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer, warned Biden, according to media reports, against holding onto his presidential campaign.
Republican contrast program
Trump celebrated himself with a grand spectacle at the Republican Convention in Milwaukee on Thursday evening (local time) and presented himself stronger than ever after the assassination attempt. In his much-anticipated speech, the 78-year-old accepted the nomination as the Republican Party's presidential candidate with great applause. Trump also spoke about the shocking moments of the assassination attempt. "I stand here before you, in this arena, only by the grace of God," he said.
Then he drifted off into his usual campaign rhetoric, ranting for minutes against migrants and using dehumanizing language in this context. Biden's campaign team warned after Trump's speech of another presidency of the Republicans, who pursue an "even more extreme vision for the country."
- If Democratic President Joe Biden decides to step down from his race for a second term, Vice President Kamala Harris could potentially replace him in the US presidential election.
- Kamala Harris, the first Black woman to hold the position of US Vice President, has received praise from some Democratic colleagues, increasing her visibility as a potential replacement for Biden.
- Media outlets such as "The New York Times" and "The Hill" have reported that Biden's inner circle believes his withdrawal is a possibility.
- NBC News reported that members of Biden's family have discussed potential scenarios for his withdrawal and its implications for the campaign and his health.
- Despite pressures within his party, Biden has publicly rejected calls to withdraw and his campaign team continues to insist he has no intention of dropping out.
- If Biden were to announce Harris as his replacement for the November election, it would not be surprising, according to reports.
- The United States of America is closely watching the developments in the US election campaign, with concerns about Biden's fitness for a second term and Republican criticism of Harris.
- Republican candidate Donald Trump, who celebrated his nomination at the Republican Convention in Milwaukee, has been using campaign rhetoric against migrants, prompting concerns from Biden's campaign team about another presidency of extreme Republican policies.
