Political Pressure on Biden to Step Aside Several House Democrats and one Democratic senator have publicly called for Biden to step aside, indicating concerns about his impact on competitive congressional and Senate races. While some party figures like Nancy Pelosi have subtly suggested Biden’s withdrawal, there is overall overwhelming support for him to make the decision, with Biden firm in his decision to run despite calls for him to step down.
John Prideaux
Seven House Democrats have publicly called for him to stand aside now, as has one Democratic senator. That’s not nothing, given that the Democratic Party typically is quite well behaved and orderly. And then the below the surface part, there are a lot of people who haven’t spoken out publicly, who have concerns, particularly those running in competitive congressional or Senate Races and are worried about Biden dragging them down. You also see some senior party figures, party elders like Nancy Pelosi, who seems to be asking Biden to go without actually asking him to go.
Speaker 1
It’s up to the president to subside if he is going to run. We’re all encouraging him to make that decision because time is running short. The, I think, overwhelming support of the caucus, it’s not for me to say, I’m not the head of the caucus anymore. But he’s beloved. He is respected. And people want him to make that decision.
Jason Palmer
He has said he has made the decision. He has said firmly this week he is going to run. Do you want him to run?
Speaker 1
I want him to do whatever he decides to do.
John Prideaux
And earlier this week, Adam Smith, who’s the ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, called for Biden to step down on CNN. Well,Sticking to his guns Mr. Biden seems determined to stick to his decision not to step aside, despite the potential trouble it could cause for the Democratic Party. However, the uncertainty of his stance lies in the fact that the final decision rests solely with him, leading many to try and understand his mindset. While he appears resolute for now, the possibility of a change in his decision remains, emphasizing the importance of closely monitoring his actions.
Jason Palmer
Mean, it might be a moot point in that Mr. Biden may in fact stick to his guns unless there is some way to force his hand. It might be moot, Jason.
John Prideaux
All the signs at the moment, as you know, are that Joe Biden is sticking to his guns He said in a recent interview he wouldn’t step aside unless it was the Lord Almighty coming down and asking Him to do. So that’s a pretty high bar. But I also have to say, if you’re Joe Biden, you can’t show any sign of weakness, really, until the moment that you do actually decide to stand aside. Now, every signal he’s giving is that he’s not going to stand aside. But I just still think the Democratic Party is going to be in so much trouble if it goes through to the election in November with him at the top of the ticket. I think privately most of them know that. The reason this story is quite so hard to report is that the decision rests in the hands of one man, Joe Biden. And so everybody is trying to get into his head. And yes, he is old and stubborn and doesn’t like to be pushed around. But he could change his mind and then everything changes.
Jason Palmer
But I’m really curious as to why Mr. Biden doesn’t see this. A man who’s dedicated his entire life to public service, he must be politically savvy enough to know that this is really troubled.
John Prideaux
Jason, I agree with you on the face of it. What’s
