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President Joe Biden is under intense scrutiny as he prepares for key public appearances that could determine the future of his 2024 presidential campaign. The New York Times reports that Biden is aware of the high stakes surrounding his upcoming interview with George Stephanopoulos on ABC News and his campaign stops in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
An unnamed ally of Biden’s conveyed the president's awareness of the critical nature of these events, saying, "He knows if he has two more events like that, we’re in a different place by the end of the weekend." This comment referenced Biden’s recent poor debate performance, which has triggered significant concern within the Democratic Party.
Sources close to the Biden campaign and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) have indicated that even acknowledging the possibility of stepping aside could have profound implications.
In response to the Times report, Quentin Fulks, Biden’s deputy campaign manager, appeared on CNN to denounce the story as "false." Fulks reiterated, "The president is in this race to win it," dismissing ongoing rumors about Biden’s potential withdrawal from the race.
The situation has drawn attention from high-profile Democrats, including former President Barack Obama, who has reportedly shown private concern about Biden’s ability to continue effectively.
Andrew Bates, White House senior deputy press secretary, also disputed the Times report on social media platform X, noting, "If the New York Times had provided us with more than 7 minutes to comment we would have told them so."
Speculation about Biden’s future has surged following his debate performance, leading to discussions within the Democratic Party about potential alternatives for the nomination. Conversations have ranged from Vice President Kamala Harris stepping in as the nominee to more speculative scenarios involving a brokered convention.
The possibility of Biden withdrawing from the 2024 race marks a significant development. Sources close to the Biden campaign and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) have indicated that even acknowledging the possibility of stepping aside could have profound implications.
Amid the ongoing turmoil, some party members believe that if Biden were to announce his withdrawal, it might also necessitate his resignation from the presidency, adding further complexity to an already fraught situation.
[With information from The Daily Beast]
