US President Joe Biden's candidacy for the 2024 elections faces increasing uncertainty as Democratic Senator Peter Welch publicly called for him to withdraw from the race. This comes after Biden's widely criticized debate performance against former President Donald Trump on June 28.
In an op-ed published in The Washington Post, Welch expressed concerns over Biden's debate showing, stating that Democrats cannot ignore the questions it raised. He urged Biden to reassess whether he is the best candidate to defeat Trump, highlighting concerns about Biden's age, health, and overall capabilities.
Welch emphasized that while Trump poses significant threats due to his criminal history and dishonesty, the current national dialogue has shifted towards Biden's fitness for office. He argued that Biden alone can change this narrative.
Welch's call joins a chorus of prominent figures within the Democratic Party expressing doubts about Biden's candidacy. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and actor George Clooney have also indicated concerns. Pelosi, in an MSNBC interview, stressed Biden's need to make a decision soon due to time constraints.
Clooney, who previously supported Biden, penned a New York Times op-ed withdrawing his endorsement, citing Biden's noticeable change since previous years and referencing his subdued performance at the debate.
Despite mounting pressure, Biden has remained steadfast in his decision to continue running. In a letter to fellow Democrats, he reaffirmed his commitment, stating that he wouldn't be seeking re-election if he didn't believe he was the best candidate to defeat Trump in 2024.
Meanwhile, concerns over Biden's health have led the Republican-led House Oversight Committee to summon three senior White House aides for depositions. This move has been criticized by the White House as a political maneuver to garner headlines rather than seeking genuine transparency.
White House spokesperson Ian Sams dismissed the summons as baseless, accusing Committee Chair James Comer of politicizing the process instead of following constitutional protocols for information gathering.
The situation underscores the growing tension and scrutiny surrounding Biden's candidacy as the 2024 presidential race approaches.
