WASHINGTON: Prominent Democrats including US Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and ex- Speaker Nancy Pelosi have increased pressure on President Biden to withdraw from his reelection campaign over deep concerns he cannot defeat former President Donald Trump, US press reported.
ABC News reported that Schumer told President Biden in a meeting on Saturday that it would be good for the US and the Democrats if he finished his reelection campaign. US House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries also shared same views about President Biden.
According to CNN, Pelosi, too, has told President Biden polling shows he cannot defeat Donald Trump and that he could destroy the Democrats’ chances of winning back control of the House of Representatives.
She spoke to President Biden in a recent telephone conversation, CNN reported, citing sources briefed on the talks between the two senior democrats. None of the sources hinted the former Speaker told President Biden to leave the race, according to CNN.
President Biden responded by telling the ex-speaker he has seen polling showing he can win, CNN reported. However, a Pelosi spokesperson told CNN that she has not spoken to President Biden since Friday.
Earlier, Democratic US Representative Adam Schiff became the 20th congressional Democrat to openly call for President Biden to quit the race. Schumer’s office termed the reports as speculations while Jeffries’ office did not issue any reaction over media reports.
President Biden has repeatedly rejected calls from Democrats to quit the race following his halting performance in a debate last month against Donald Trump.
