WashingtonCNN — As President Joe Biden isolates at his Delaware beach home after testing positive for COVID-19, he faces increasing isolation from many corners of his Democratic Party. Deepening questions about his reelection campaign are causing concern.
Calls for Biden to Step Aside
The announcement of Biden’s positive COVID test on Wednesday coincided with growing calls from within his party for him to step aside in the 2024 race. CNN reported that former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi privately told the president that polling indicates Biden cannot defeat former President Donald Trump in November. Continuing his run, she warned, could jeopardize Democrats’ chances of reclaiming the House.
Scrutiny of Health and Age
Following Biden’s recent debate performance, his age and health — long considered his biggest political vulnerabilities since his third presidential run in 2019 — are under intense scrutiny. Several incidents in the past week have fueled doubts about his sharpness and ability to serve another four years as commander-in-chief.
Controversial Interview
An interview with BET, taped on Tuesday and aired Wednesday night, is the latest moment under scrutiny. In it, Biden stated that only a “medical condition” would convince him to leave the race — a day before testing positive for COVID. He stumbled while referring to Black members of his administration, describing Lloyd Austin as the secretary of defense rather than using his name.
Health Updates and Public Appearances
The White House reported Wednesday that Biden had “upper respiratory symptoms, including rhinorrhea (runny nose) and a non-productive cough, with general malaise” due to his COVID infection. Video of him slowly boarding Air Force One in Las Vegas showed him pausing on the second step to gather himself.
On Thursday, Biden experienced “mild upper respiratory symptoms” and continued receiving Paxlovid, according to Dr. Kevin O’Connor. He does not have a fever, and his vitals remain “normal.”
Awkward Moments and Concerns
Additional footage showed Biden struggling to get situated in his SUV upon arriving in Delaware, requiring Secret Service assistance. He was not wearing a face mask while interacting with agents, despite having COVID, though he eventually put one on.
Earlier on Wednesday, during a visit to a local restaurant, Biden appeared to mistake Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford for the state’s governor, prompting laughter and uncertainty about whether he was joking.
Campaign Stance
CNN reached out to the Biden campaign and the White House for comment on these incidents. Biden’s deputy campaign manager, Quentin Fulks, stated that the campaign is “not working through any scenarios” where Biden is not the nominee. Fulks emphasized that Biden remains committed to the race.
Polling Concerns
Polling data shows Biden trailing Trump, raising alarms among Democrats. A memo from Blue Rose Research, distributed to party operatives, highlights that defending Biden’s fitness for office is seen as dishonest by voters, potentially harming Democratic candidates down-ballot.
An AP-NORC poll released Wednesday found only 14% of Americans are confident in Biden’s mental capacity to be an effective president. Among Democrats, that number is 27%.
Increasing Battlegrounds
Internal polling shows expanding battleground states, including New Hampshire, Minnesota, New Mexico, Virginia, and Maine, in addition to the current top battleground states.
Worrying Moments
Biden’s recent slip-ups have heightened concerns among Democrats. During the NATO summit in Washington, he mistakenly referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as “President Putin” and Vice President Kamala Harris as “Vice President Trump.” These errors have intensified doubts about his readiness for another term.
Private Conversations and Public Defiance
Behind the scenes, Biden is reportedly more receptive to discussions about his candidacy than he is publicly. Democratic sources indicate he is questioning whether Kamala Harris can win and is listening to advisors’ concerns.
Despite increasing pressure from donors and lawmakers, the Biden campaign remains steadfast. “President Biden is the Democratic nominee and he is going to win this November,” stated Biden spokesman Kevin Munoz.
Defensive Stance
Biden has grown defensive over his political standing. Calls with Democratic lawmakers over the weekend did not go well, with lawmakers presenting polling data showing his declining support. Pelosi reportedly told Biden that he could not win reelection, a conversation Biden pushed back against.
White House spokesperson Andrew Bates reiterated Biden’s commitment to his agenda and collaboration with congressional Democrats.
Contributors: CNN’s MJ Lee, Annie Grayer, Donald Judd, and Veronica Stracqualursi.
