As the Democratic Party struggles to come to terms with President Joe Biden’s recent gaffes, internal divisions have deepened. At a press conference following the NATO summit, Biden attempted to reassure Democrats that he remains a viable candidate for re-election, but his remarks only fueled concerns about his mental acuity.
Former Representative Tim Ryan, one of the first Democrats to call for Biden to step aside, expressed disappointment with the president’s performance. “[Biden] added fuel to the fire with calling Zelensky ‘Putin’ and Harris ‘Trump.’ That will dominate media and be in ads with a billion dollars behind them. All in all, he made matters much worse, not better,” Ryan said.
Other Democrats, including Representatives Jim Himes and Scott Peters, have also spoken out against Biden’s candidacy. Himes became the 14th House Democrat to call for Biden to suspend his campaign, citing the need for a candidate who can effectively communicate a positive vision for the country. Peters similarly asked Biden to withdraw from the race, fearing the Democratic campaign is on a losing course.
However, not all top Democrats have lost faith in Biden. Democrat National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison dismissed concerns about the president’s gaffes, calling them “nitpicking” and urging his colleagues to focus on the work ahead. Governor Josh Green of Hawaii also expressed support for Biden, stating that his admiration for the president will not wane despite his mistakes.
Gov. Josh Green (D-HI) also made a show of support for Biden, telling the Associated Press that his “admiration and love for the president is not going to wane no matter how many ‘moments’ he has.”
Meanwhile, former Obama adviser David Axelrod echoed the concerns of many House Democrats, warning that Biden’s age and perceived mental decline could be insurmountable obstacles to re-election. Axelrod criticized Biden’s team for gatekeeping unfavorable polling and noted that the president’s path to victory is “very slim.”
