Biden Allies Also Fear Election Defeat... Democratic Party Begins Gathering Opinions

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Concerns that President Joe Biden cannot win the November presidential election as the Democratic candidate are reportedly spreading even among Biden's close aides. Amid this, the Democratic Party has decided to gather the opinions of all House representatives regarding Biden's suitability as a presidential candidate.

The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 11th (local time) that Biden's longtime aides and advisors are increasingly leaning toward the view that Biden should resign and are recently exploring ways to persuade him. The Biden campaign has officially denied such reports.

Meanwhile, the NYT highlighted that the Biden campaign is conducting polls assuming a head-to-head race between Vice President Harris and former President Trump. There is analysis suggesting that if Biden is judged to be less competitive than Vice President Harris in the election, this could be used as leverage to pressure him to resign.

Since his TV debate defeat on the 27th of last month, President Biden has been trying to quell controversies over his health and cognitive abilities, but calls for his resignation are increasingly erupting. NBC News cited three of Biden's closest aides helping with his re-election campaign, saying, "There is no chance Biden will win, and he is likely to drag down Democratic candidates in the concurrent Senate and House elections as well."

President Biden still firmly believes that he is the best candidate to defeat former President Trump and is determined to complete his campaign. The results of an ABC News and Washington Post (WP) poll released that day, showing Biden and Trump in a neck-and-neck race within the margin of error, are also analyzed as a reason why Biden sees no reason to step down.

The ongoing North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit, which is expected to be a turning point in assessing Biden's suitability as a candidate, is taking place with attendees generally expressing positive evaluations of President Biden.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in an interview with BBC, commented on concerns about Biden's cognitive abilities, saying, "President Biden is very robust," and "He showed no hesitation on detailed matters." He had a bilateral meeting with President Biden at the White House on the 10th, his first since taking office.

White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated, "In conversations between President Biden and other NATO leaders, I did not hear concerns about Biden's political situation or the possibility of former President Trump's re-election," adding, "NATO allies were full of praise for Biden, who has strengthened both the United States and NATO."

On the same day, the Democratic Party decided to collect the opinions of all House representatives regarding Biden's suitability as a presidential candidate. Democratic House Majority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said, "We hope to conclude discussions as soon as possible and then convene the leadership to determine the next steps." Currently, 10 House members, including Representative Brad Schneider, have publicly called for President Biden to withdraw his candidacy.