US President Joe Biden is taking seriously calls for him to step aside as the Democratic presidential candidate and several Democratic officials believe an exit is just a matter of time, according to people familiar with the matter.
“He's doing some soul searching, I know that for a fact,” said one of the sources, who asked not to be named. “He's thinking about this very seriously.”
Biden, 81, has faced mounting pressure from party heavyweights to cede his position atop the ticket after a poor debate performance against former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, raised fears about his age and ability to win in November.
The president has defiantly responded to those claims, arguing that he has won millions of votes in primaries in recent months and is the choice of Democratic voters. Last Wednesday, he promised to “go all in” in the 2024 race.
Another source, a Democratic congressional aide, said the president appeared to have a chance of emerging victorious after lawmakers including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urged him to drop out of the race.
“It seems to be a question of when, not if,” the aide said.
Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, a close Biden ally, said CNN on Thursday that Biden will be “resting and reflecting” this weekend as he recovers from COVID-19.
He has been asking for information about polling data and is seriously considering input from those he trusts and admires, Coons said, adding that he believes Biden is the best candidate to run in 2024.
Biden is convalescing at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. He had no public events Thursday after concluding a trip to the key state of Nevada on Wednesday.
Biden's campaign is focusing on three of the seven battleground states after the debate, a narrow path to victory, but he has rejected suggestions he is willing to step aside.
“There's no hesitation. The president has already made his decision,” said deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks in Milwaukee, where the Republican convention is taking place. “Joe Biden has said he will run for president of the United States. Our campaign is moving forward.”
Another source, a Biden campaign official, said the opposite: “Yes, it's over. It's just a matter of time.”
Democratic Sen. John Hickenlooper of Colorado said he believed Biden was working toward a decision on whether to stay in the presidential race and would choose what was good for the country.
“Joe Biden has always put America first. He's done what's best for America… I think he'll continue to do that,” Hickenlooper said. Reuters On Wednesday night, he added that there were signs that it would be better for the United States if he stepped down.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi backed Rep. Adam Schiff's call for Biden to step aside, a senior White House source with direct knowledge of the matter said.
But a source close to Pelosi, one of the most influential members of Biden's Democratic Party, said Schiff did not consult with Pelosi before making his concerns public.
