Biden’s June presidential debate debacle, mounting concerns over his health and a renewed wave of support for former President Donald Trump after his assassination bid are among the factors that have compelled his over two dozen party leaders to race against time for alternative options. According to some media reports, former President Barack Obama, considered Biden’s close aide, also features in this list.
Joe Biden likely to make an announcement
2) The moment is critical for democrats as Trump already wrapped up a heady Republican convention in Milwaukee on Thursday, accepting his formal nomination and naming Senator JD Vance as his running mate for vice-presidency.
Democrats hurry after Biden tests positive for Covid-19
3) Until testing positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday, Biden was expected to receive the official 2024 presidential nomination from Democrats in late July. This was to be followed by the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 19. However, his isolation from the election campaign after the infection has given Democrats a chance to further encourage him to pass the torch.
4) On Thursday, Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland, who was part of the panel that probed the Capitol Riots, became the latest Democrat to urge Biden to reconsider his bid.
What do we know about Biden’s future plans so far?
5) On the rumours, Biden’s campaign officials remarked that he was even more committed to staying in the race despite the pressure but the president has been informed that the campaign is having difficulty in raising money.
6) Right before testing positive for Covid-19, Biden had remarked in an interview that it wasn’t too late for him to recover politically and added that the race between him and Trump so far is ‘even’.
7) However, with the fresh developments, some Democrat lawmakers are pitching for Vice President Kamala Harris as an alternative to Biden.
8) According to a lawmaker, who did not want to be named, Biden’s advisors are yet to reach a unanimous decision on his next move. To add to his woes, there are reports that in the days ahead more lawmakers are expected to join the leaders calling for him to drop out of the race.
(With inputs from AP, Reuters)
First Published: Jul 19 2024 | 10:12 AM IST