Progressive Camp Pressures Biden to Resign
Harris, Newsom Mentioned as Alternative Candidates
Biden Rejects Resignation Talk... Obama and Clinton Also Support
"Biden's Resignation Depends on First Lady's Decision"
"For the sake of the nation, President Biden must suspend his presidential race. This is the best chance to protect the soul of the country from Trump's malicious distortions." (New York Times (NYT) editorial).
Following President Joe Biden's crushing defeat in the first TV debate ahead of the U.S. presidential election this November, calls for replacing the Democratic presidential candidate are growing louder. Within the progressive camp, concerns over a potential loss in the general election have sparked a flood of demands for Biden's resignation, and a survey found that 7 out of 10 Americans believe he should step down. Although President Biden has expressed his intention to complete the race, the long-feared risks associated with his advanced age are hampering him, and it is expected that the controversy over candidate replacement will cause aftershocks up to the Democratic National Convention in August.
72% of Americans Say "Biden Should Not Run for President"
According to a poll conducted by U.S. CBS News and YouGov on the 30th of last month (local time), surveying 1,130 registered voters from the 28th to 29th, immediately after the presidential TV debate on the 27th, 72% of respondents said President Biden should not run for president (margin of error ±4.2 percentage points). Only 28% said he should run.
In a survey conducted in February, 63% said Biden should not run, while 37% said he should; opposition to his candidacy increased after the TV debate. In the first presidential TV debate last week, unlike former President Trump, Biden showed signs of stammering and staring into space. This has sharply highlighted the risks related to his age, and the candidate replacement theory is spreading rapidly.
Among Democratic Party members, 55% supported Biden's candidacy, which was higher than the 45% who opposed it.
The reasons for opposing Biden's candidacy included age (86% of respondents, multiple answers allowed), followed by decision-making ability (71%), presidential performance (66%), and effective campaign skills (59%).
When asked whether Biden has the mental health and cognitive ability to perform presidential duties, 72% of respondents said "No," while 27% said "Yes."
Other polls also show high public opinion for Biden's resignation. A survey conducted by Morning Consult after the presidential TV debate, targeting 2,068 voters, found that 60% of respondents said Biden should be replaced as the candidate.
Biden Dismisses Resignation Calls... "Depends on First Lady's Decision"
Within the progressive camp, the theory of replacing the Democratic candidate is being promoted to secure victory in the general election. Bob Woodward, the reporter who broke the Watergate scandal that forced President Richard Nixon to resign, described Biden's debate performance as "too bad and terrible," adding, "This is not just a political hydrogen bomb for Biden and the Democrats alone." He emphasized that demands for candidate replacement are "unavoidable."
Thomas Friedman, a leading columnist for the NYT, wrote in a column, "I wept watching Biden's debate performance," and urged, "He should maintain dignity and leave the stage." Jay Parini, a childhood friend and supporter of Biden, also sent a letter titled "Joe, It's Time to Go" to CNN, urging him to resign from the presidency.
Accordingly, attention is turning to potential candidates to replace Biden within the Democratic Party. Vice President Kamala Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker are among those mentioned.
However, President Biden dismissed calls to withdraw from the race. At a fundraising event held in Hampton, New York, on the 29th of last month, he expressed confidence in victory and appealed for support. Speaking before 150 attendees, Biden said, "I understand concerns about the debate. I did not have a great night," but emphasized, "If I did not believe I would win, I would not be running for president." Key Democratic figures such as former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have also expressed their support for Biden and defended him.
It is reported that President Biden spent the weekend at the presidential retreat 'Camp David' with his family, contemplating future response strategies. Some analysts suggest that First Lady Jill Biden holds the final decision-making power regarding the candidate's withdrawal.
U.S. NBC News reported, "Democratic leadership believes that only the president, after consulting with his family, can decide whether to continue the campaign or end it early." Citing sources, the broadcast stated, "The only person with ultimate influence over him is the First Lady," adding, "If she decides a change of course is necessary, that change will happen."
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