Two members of Mr Biden’s administration and campaign advisers told allies that they do not believe the American leader should seek reelection.
small group of U.S. President Joe Biden’s advisers in his administration and campaign are discussing how to convince the Democratic Party candidate to drop out of the presidential race over concerns about his physical condition, the New York Times reported.
Many Democrats, including lawmakers, have publicly and privately expressed concern about Mr Biden’s chances of beating Republican Party nominee and former President Donald Trump at the poll. This followed the incumbent’s performance at the presidential debate against Mr Trump.
While some have asked Mr Biden to withdraw from the race to allow another candidate to step in, the president has, on several occasions, including a letter to Democratic Party lawmakers last week, reaffirmed his commitment to run against Mr Trump in the November poll.
However, the New York Times is now reporting that some of Mr Biden’s longtime aides are convinced he will withdraw but will need to be convinced with several factors.
According to the outlet, two members of Mr Biden’s administration and campaign advisers told allies that they do not believe the American leader should seek reelection. But they admitted Mr Biden would need to be convinced to make his withdrawal from the race happen.
Mr Biden believes he is capable of beating Mr Trump in November, but discussions are ongoing among the advisers on how to tell the president that his campaign cannot win against Mr Trump and the need for him to step aside to allow someone like Vice President Kamala Harris or other potential candidates to replace him, the Times reported.
There is no indication that the group has raised the issue with Mr Biden, according to someone familiar with the matter.
Meanwhile, the White House, through spokesman Andrew Bates, has denied the report, stating that “unequivocally, this is not true” while affirming that “President Biden’s team is strongly behind him.”
