Speculation is swirling around whether President Biden will step aside after he was diagnosed with COVID-19 and pulled off the campaign trail.
Biden is recovering in Delaware, while chatter in Washington over his future reaches a fever pitch.
Biden’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, released the following statement about his health:
“The president is still experiencing mild upper respiratory symptoms…he continues to receive Paxlovid. He does not have a fever and his vital signs remain normal. He will continue to conduct the business of the American people.”
The Biden campaign is trying to keep a lid on the leaks, blind quotes and speculation about his future.
The campaign blasted an Axios report that suggested top Democrats believe Biden could leave the race as early as this weekend.
“Joe Biden is his party’s nominee. He’s the President of the United States. He’s running for reelection. Baseless conjecture from anonymous sources isn’t a scoop. Tonight a convicted felon will talk about how he’ll make people’s lives worse if he gains power. Let’s focus.” — Biden campaign spokesman TJ Ducklo
But reports indicate top Democrats in Washington are privately urging Biden to walk away. In public, many are leaving the door open for him to exit, citing new polls that show the party headed for defeat in November.
It’s a media feeding frenzy:
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Rep. Jamie Raskin (Md.), the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, wrote a letter to Biden comparing him to an aging pitcher and suggesting he should drop out.
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CNN reports that Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told Biden he cannot win and would cost Democrats seats in the House if he doesn’t step aside. A Pelosi spokesperson said the report mischaracterized her conversation with Biden.
- ABC reports that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told Biden it would be best for him to drop out. Schumer’s office responded by calling it “idle speculation.”
The Washington Post reports that former President Obama is telling allies Biden must consider his viability.
Film producer and campaign adviser Jeffrey Katzenberg met with Biden on Wednesday and told him his donations are drying up, according to Semafor.
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Past reports indicate House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) told Biden his campaign could jeopardize downballot races.
- Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who is likely to be the next senator from California, became the 22nd House Democrat to call for Biden to step aside on Wednesday.
The White House and Biden campaign aren’t flinching.
“The President told [Pelosi and Schumer] he is the nominee of the party, he plans to win, and looks forward to working with both of them to pass his 100 days agenda to help working families.” — White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates.
But Democrats, such as Sen. John Hickenlooper (Colo.), are keeping the story alive with their own public statements:
“Joe Biden has always put the country first. He’s done what’s best for America…I think he’ll keep doing so, he’s working towards that,” Hickenlooper told Reuters.
“That’s his decision to make, but certainly there’s more and more indications that that would be in the best interests of the country, I think.”
A new Economist/YouGov survey finds that 79 percent of Democrats would approve of swapping Vice President Harris for Biden.
The same poll found Harris with a better favorability rating than Biden, but worse than Trump:
Biden: -20 net (38/58)
Harris: -15 net (39/54)
Trump: -10 net (43/53)
Perspectives:
New York: The nomination is becoming worthless for Biden.
CNN: Trump Triumphant as Biden descends deeper into crisis.
The Bulwark: The case to replace Biden grows stronger.
MSNBC: Republicans are wrong to feel a sense of inevitability.
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