As President Joe Biden isolates at his Delaware beach home after testing positive for Covid-19, he faces increasing isolation from his own Democratic Party. The announcement of his positive test on Wednesday has coincided with growing calls within his party for him to step aside in the 2024 race. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reportedly told Biden that polling indicates he cannot defeat former President Donald Trump in November, suggesting his continued campaign could jeopardize the Democrats’ chances of regaining the House.
This diagnosis and the ensuing scrutiny come at a critical time. President Joe Biden’s age and health have long been considered political vulnerabilities, which were further highlighted by his recent debate performance. Despite his efforts to project vigor, several incidents in the past week have amplified concerns about his capacity to campaign effectively and serve another term. These concerns have been compounded by a recent interview with BET, where President Joe Biden stated that only a “medical condition” would convince him to leave the race—remarkably, a day before his Covid diagnosis.
Scrutiny Over Biden’s Health and Performance
Biden’s recent public appearances have been heavily scrutinized, particularly following his debate performance and subsequent interviews. In his BET interview, President Joe Biden stumbled while referring to Black members of his administration, calling Lloyd Austin “the secretary of defense” instead of naming him directly. This gaffe, alongside his attempt to name Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, has been cited by some Democrats as evidence of his declining sharpness.
The White House reported that Biden is experiencing “mild upper respiratory symptoms” and is being treated with Paxlovid. Video footage of Biden slowly walking up the steps to Air Force One and later struggling to get into his SUV in Delaware has fueled further speculation about his health. Despite his Covid diagnosis, Biden was seen without a mask while interacting with Secret Service agents, though he eventually put one on. These moments have added to the narrative that Biden may not be physically fit to continue his campaign or serve another term as president.
Party Reactions and Future Campaign Prospects
The Biden campaign has been adamant that the president remains the top of the ticket. Deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks reaffirmed that the campaign is not considering any scenarios where Biden is not the nominee. Despite the mounting concerns and the visible signs of Biden’s health struggles, his campaign maintains that he is committed to staying in the race.
However, nervous Democrats are voicing their concerns more openly. The president’s mistaken identification of Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford as the state’s governor during a public visit has only added to the anxiety. While some nearby laughed it off, the incident underscores the broader apprehension within the party about President Joe Biden’s cognitive abilities and overall fitness for office. As Biden isolates and recovers, the pressure from within his party continues to build, leaving the future of his campaign increasingly uncertain.
Polling Shows a Problem
As calls for President Joe Biden to reconsider his candidacy are poised to grow even louder, some reasons for this concern are becoming clearer. Recent polling indicates not only that Biden is falling short against former President Donald Trump, but also that Democratic candidates fear their own defenses of Biden could be perceived as dishonest by voters.
According to a memo released Wednesday by a leading Democratic research firm, defending President Joe Biden’s fitness for office is an “untenable position for down-ballot Democrats.” The memo highlights that a wide margin of voters are “likely to see other Democrats’ defense of him as fit as dishonest.” This situation presents a significant challenge for the Democratic Party, as they must balance support for the incumbent president with the need to maintain credibility and trust with the electorate.
Worrying Moments for Democrats
President Biden has had several moments over the last week that have further worried Democrats about his ability to effectively campaign. On July 11, during the NATO summit in Washington, Biden made back-to-back gaffes, referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as “President Putin” before quickly correcting himself. Later, in a press conference, he mistakenly referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as “Vice President Trump,” a mistake he did not correct or acknowledge.
These slip-ups have raised concerns among Democratic leaders about President Joe Biden’s mental sharpness and readiness for the rigorous demands of a re-election campaign. As these incidents accumulate, they fuel the narrative that Biden may not be fit for another term, adding to the pressure on him and his party as the 2024 election approaches
