'Resignation Demand Conspiracy' Obama Mentions Biden Rethinking Candidacy... "Winning Chances Decrease"

Washington Post Report
Biden Tests Positive for COVID-19, Decision Possible Over the Weekend

Former U.S. President Barack Obama has reportedly expressed to Democratic lawmakers that President Joe Biden should seriously consider whether to run for re-election, amid pressure for Biden to withdraw following his defeat in the presidential debate. While Obama has remained silent about Biden's future until now, he has been mentioned as a key figure behind the rising calls within the Democratic Party for a candidate change.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 18th (local time), the American daily The Washington Post (WP), citing multiple sources, reported that Obama said Biden's chances of winning have significantly diminished. Earlier, President Biden faced pressure to withdraw from within his party after exposing concerns about his age and cognitive abilities during a TV debate held late last month.

According to the report, Obama spoke with President Biden only once after the TV debate. In subsequent conversations with others, he mentioned that the decision on whether Biden should step down is up to the president himself.

However, it is reported that Obama has been deeply involved unofficially in internal Democratic discussions about the future of the Biden campaign. He reportedly received calls from Democratic figures, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, sharing his views on the difficulties Biden is facing. In particular, he expressed concerns about unfavorable poll results for Biden, the increasing chances of former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, winning, and the fact that donors are abandoning Biden.

Until now, Obama has been cited as the force behind demands for Biden to withdraw as a candidate. The Biden campaign has suspected that while Obama publicly supports President Biden, he is secretly encouraging ongoing calls from Democratic lawmakers for Biden to drop out.

As calls for Biden to withdraw from both inside and outside the Democratic Party reach a peak, some within the party speculate that President Biden may make a 'decision' over the weekend. Amid the sensitive controversy over his age, Biden was diagnosed with COVID-19 during a campaign event in Las Vegas, Nevada, a battleground state, and is currently self-isolating at his residence in Delaware.