As President Joe Biden faces mounting pressure to resign due to concerns over his cognitive decline and age, some Democratic leaders are rallying behind him. This week, Biden met with over 20 Democratic congressional leaders and governors to reassure them of his mental and physical fitness to serve another four years in office.
The meeting was attended by prominent Democrats, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and Hawaii Governor Josh Green. Green described Biden as a “healthy gentleman” who simply had a bad night, referencing the president’s disastrous debate performance.
Walz echoed Green’s sentiments, stating that Biden is “fit for office” and that the “path to victory in November is the number one priority.” He acknowledged that Biden’s debate performance was poor, but insisted that it did not impact his confidence in the president’s ability to deliver.
Despite the Democrats’ efforts to downplay Biden’s health concerns, a recent poll found that over 80 percent of Americans believe he is “too old” to serve in office. A Wall Street Journal poll also showed that former President Donald Trump leads Biden 48 to 42 percent, while a New York Times/Siena College poll found that Trump has a six-point lead among likely voters.
A JL Partners poll revealed that nearly 70 percent of independent voters want Biden to drop out of the 2024 race, while only 32 percent of Democrats disagree. Biden’s debate performance has also boosted Trump’s support among independents, with 44 percent planning to vote for the former president. Despite these concerns, Biden has vowed to remain in the race, dismissing worries about his health.
