Cracks in Democratic Support for President Biden

Image Credit: Yuri Gripas for The New York Times

Following the tumultuous debate last week, the Democratic Party’s backing of President Biden is showing signs of strain.

Increased Talks of a Plan B

The Biden campaign’s efforts to reassure nervous Democrats and donors in the aftermath of the disastrous debate seem to have faltered.

• Democrat Representative Lloyd Doggett of Texas publicly called for President Biden to step down from the race.
• Other party members have criticized the campaign’s response, with polls indicating a decline in Biden’s approval ratings.
• Some Biden supporters, including Representative Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, are demanding more clarity from the campaign: “I think that the American people want an explanation,” Clyburn stated to The Hill on NewsNation.

Privately, former President Barack Obama has conveyed concerns that Biden’s electoral prospects have become more challenging, as reported by The Washington Post.

Democrats and foreign allies have expressed worries over Biden appearing confused or lacking energy, as highlighted in The New York Times. Additionally, a recent CNN poll revealed that 75% of respondents would prefer another candidate leading the Democratic ticket.

Efforts to Address Concerns

Despite the mounting unease, Team Biden is actively working to alleviate fears:

• President Biden is scheduled for an interview with ABC News’s George Stephanopoulos.
• There are considerations for Biden to visit Wisconsin and Pennsylvania in the near future.
• A meeting is planned with Democratic governors on Wednesday, following their expressed frustrations with the campaign’s debate response.