President Joe Biden is facing renewed doubts about his re-election bid from prominent figures including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, actor George Clooney, and two Democratic senators.
These doubts may influence other Democratic lawmakers and donors as the 2024 race approaches.
Pelosi’s conditional support
Nancy Pelosi, a long-time ally of Biden, stated on MSNBC that Biden must quickly decide whether to stay in the 2024 race.
While Pelosi stopped short of definitively saying she wanted Biden to run, her remarks suggested growing concern among Democratic leaders.
Clooney withdraws support
In a surprising move, Hollywood star George Clooney, who co-hosted a fundraiser for Biden last month, withdrew his support.
In a New York Times opinion piece, Clooney expressed doubts about Biden’s ability to win, stating, “The Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fundraiser was not the Joe Biden of 2020. He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate.”
Schumer and Welch’s positions
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has privately indicated he is open to another Democratic candidate, according to Axios. However, he publicly reiterated his support for Biden following the report.
Senator Peter Welch became the first Democratic senator to explicitly call for Biden to step aside, expressing his concerns in an op-ed published Wednesday night.
Growing concerns among Democrats
A major donor revealed that Democratic leaders might issue statements of concern after the NATO summit.
This donor described growing anger among lawmakers and donors, as well as pressure on down-ballot candidates, predicting a “bloodbath.”
The Abandon Biden Campaign, which opposes Biden’s candidacy over his handling of the Israel-Gaza conflict, has also called for Biden to step aside, though it remains critical of former President Trump as well.
Other Democratic leaders have echoed Pelosi’s sentiments. Senator Richard Blumenthal expressed “deep concern” about Biden’s ability to win the race.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris, the frontrunner to replace Biden if he steps aside, addressed a crowd in Dallas, emphasizing the election’s importance and rallying support for “Four More Years.”
Representative Earl Blumenauer became the ninth Democratic House member to call for Biden to end his re-election campaign.
Although public defections remain a small segment of the 213 Democratic-aligned House members, Pelosi’s and Clooney’s statements have intensified internal debates.
Biden’s response
Despite these growing concerns, Biden has insisted he will stay in the race and defeat Trump.
During the NATO summit, Biden responded to questions about Pelosi’s support by raising a triumphant fist.
His campaign chair, Jen O’Malley Dillon, along with senior advisers, will brief Senate Democrats on Thursday.
Biden’s core supporters
Biden has been rallying support from his staunchest allies, including Black Democratic lawmakers and labor leaders.
At an The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) executive council meeting, Biden discussed key issues such as high rents, expensive groceries, and housing shortages, reinforcing his commitment to tackling these problems.
Labor votes were crucial in Biden’s 2020 victory in states like Michigan, Nevada, and Pennsylvania.
As the 2024 election approaches, Biden’s ability to maintain this support will be pivotal.
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