Multiple Democratic Party stalwarts have urged the president to step aside following last month’s disastrous debate against Donald Trump
Former US President Bill Clinton, and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, have privately voiced their support for Joe Biden as the Democratic Party’s candidate in the November 5 presidential election, NBC News and CNN have reported, citing anonymous sources.
The 81-year-old president has been facing growing discontent within his own party in recent weeks, with an increasing number of lawmakers and donors calling on him to withdraw from the race for reelection.
Concerns about Biden’s fitness for a second term have intensified after his faltering performance at last month’s CNN-hosted debate against Republican frontrunner Donald Trump. During the showdown, the incumbent struggled to stay on track, mixing up words and numbers, and finding it difficult to complete his sentences.
On Saturday, NBC News quoted two unnamed individuals “familiar with the Clintons’ thinking” as saying that the two Democratic heavyweights have privately expressed support for Biden’s decision to stay in the race. They have also reportedly urged Democratic Party donors to remain committed to the president.
According to the media outlet, the Clintons have been “deferential” towards the incumbent president and have offered to assist his campaign in any way they can.
NBC News claimed, however, that the fact that the pair has not publicly offered their backing only underscores Biden’s isolation within his own party.
CNN published a similar report on Saturday, also citing two anonymous sources, who also used the word “deferential” when describing the Clintons’ stance.
Meanwhile, NBC News estimated that the total number of opponents to a Biden ticket among Congressional Democrats had reached 35 by Friday. Key figures like former President Barack Obama and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have reportedly expressed concerns regarding the incumbent’s chances of defeating Trump in November.
A poll published by AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research on Wednesday indicated that almost two-thirds of rank-and-file Democrats nationwide want Biden to withdraw from the race.
The president, who is currently self-isolating after contracting Covid-19, has promised to return to the campaign trail next week. The veteran politician has repeatedly stated that he will not drop out of the race, insisting that he is the strongest Democratic candidate to challenge Trump.
NBC alleged on Friday that the president is feeling “personally hurt” and “betrayed” by the failure of some Democrats to stand behind his candidacy.