Are the Democrats behind Biden – or are they calling on him to withdraw from the presidential race? A meeting in Congress brings no clarity. The party is facing a crucial test.
After a meeting of Democratic representatives in the US Congress on the political future of US President Joe Biden, several parliamentarians expressed their disillusionment. Representative Sean Casten spoke of “great sadness” over the party’s dilemma as to whether to continue supporting the 81-year-old in the election campaign. When asked whether the Democrats were reading from the same page, Representative Steve Cohen from the state of Tennessee said no. “We’re not even reading from the same book,” he said, according to media reports.
Disagreement among Democrats
Even though no other members of Congress openly opposed Biden after the important meeting, enthusiasm was limited. The left-wing Democrat Ro Khanna from the state of California complained that Biden did not listen enough to the young people in the party and relied on his family and advisers when it came to the question of whether he should stay in the race. But Khanna also stressed that the Democrats must stand together behind a candidate, “no matter who that is”. Biden confidant Jim Clyburn, on the other hand, spoke of a “very positive” atmosphere at the meeting.
Some MPs did not want to comment on the issue to reporters – Biden had called on his party colleagues the day before in unusually clear terms to end the debate about his suitability and fitness. This week, the parliamentarians reconvened in Congress after a recess. The coming days could be decisive. The question is whether leading Democrats will join the public call of a few parliamentarians for Biden to step down.
Pete Aguilar, a leading Democrat in the House of Representatives, said at a press conference after today’s meeting: “President Biden is currently the nominee for the nomination, and we support the Democratic nominee.” The meeting was an opportunity to listen to each other. Aguilar repeatedly stressed that the core issue was to keep Biden’s Republican challenger Donald Trump “out of the White House.”
Doubts about Biden’s suitability
Since his TV debacle against Trump, Biden has increasingly had to face questions about his mental fitness. He has also come under pressure in the Democratic Party. In the USA, there is debate about whether Biden is really the right Democratic presidential candidate for the November election because of his advanced age. Biden rejects any doubts.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
