WASHINGTON: Former president Barack Obama has privately expressed concerns to Democrats about President Joe Biden’s chances of winning the Presidential election.
In his private conversations with allies in recent days, Obama said that he likely can’t defeat Republican’s candidate Donald Trump. He Joe Biden’s debate disaster a bad night as he put out a supportive statement defending Joe Biden as the Democrats were tearing into the President.
He believes Biden should seriously assess the viability of continuing his candidacy, according to a Thursday report in the Washington Post, citing sources briefed on Obama’s thinking.
Simultaneously, White House officials are said to believe that former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi supported Representative Adam Schiff’s recent statement urging Biden to step aside. A senior White House source, privy to the matter, disclosed that Pelosi had directly informed Biden of her belief that he cannot secure victory in the upcoming November 5th election.
Schiff had publicly expressed “serious concerns” about Biden’s ability to defeat Republican challenger Donald Trump, making him the first Democrat to do so following the assassination attempt against Trump on Saturday.
Biden’s campaign had initially anticipated that the assassination attempt would quell calls for him to withdraw from the 2024 race, prior to Schiff’s statement.
According to the source, Pelosi has taken a firm stance, convinced that prevailing public sentiment is against the President and that this sentiment is unchangeable.
“Nancy is fully engaged in this matter. Schiff wouldn’t make a move without her approval,” the source commented, speaking under the condition of anonymity.
Pelosi, a long-standing and influential figure within Democrats, frequently references a leadership quote attributed to former President Abraham Lincoln in discussions. Lincoln famously remarked, “With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it, nothing can succeed.”
“I wouldn’t have speculated on him exiting the race before the recent public statements from top Democratic leaders,” the source continued. “Previously, I hadn’t detected any wavering from him, but now it’s uncertain.”
While acknowledging a potential pathway to victory, albeit a challenging one, the source also noted that Vice President Kamala Harris would face significant hurdles in assuming the Democratic presidential nomination.
“This is an internal challenge for Democrats. It’s disappointing, but we must navigate through it, whether or not there are changes to the ticket,” the source emphasized. “There doesn’t seem to be any alternative.”
Previously, some Democratic lawmakers in both the House and Senate had called for Biden to step aside, citing concerns over his age and fitness for the job at 81. Both Schiff and Pelosi represent California districts in the House.
