Democrats Remain Divided Over Biden's Candidacy as Nato Summit Commences

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
09/07/2024 20h45

As the Nato summit kicks off in Washington, DC, world leaders have arrived amid concerns about Joe Biden's ability to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential election. Democrats, including Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer, continue to voice support for Biden, but internal discussions reveal a lack of consensus among party members.

Following a lengthy discussion about the viability of Biden's candidacy during their weekly lunch, Senate Democrats remained tightlipped, unwilling to share their thoughts with reporters. Senator Richard Blumenthal assured that Democrats were united in their goal to defeat Trump, but the question remains as to whether Biden is the candidate to accomplish that.

While Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, a vocal supporter of Biden, believes he is the right choice, he acknowledges that not all of his colleagues share the same sentiment. Meanwhile, Schumer deflected questions about Biden's chances of winning the White House, reiterating his unwavering support for the former vice president.

Amidst the reticence of several senators to engage with reporters or provide clear answers, it is evident that Democrats are still searching for a consensus within their party. Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, who is retiring at the end of the year, refused to comment on whether any Democrats had called on Biden to exit the race. However, no Democrats have publicly expressed such sentiments thus far.

The topic of speculation turned to Michigan's governor, Democrat Gretchen Whitmer, and the possibility of her being chosen as Kamala Harris's running mate on a hypothetical Democratic ticket. However, Democrats remained focused on finding a path forward, with Vermont senator Peter Welch acknowledging that there is still a long way to go in reaching a consensus.

In the midst of these discussions, the White House released a statement clarifying that Biden had not seen a neurologist outside of his annual physicals. This follows intense speculation surrounding his cognitive abilities after his performance in a debate with Trump last month. The White House physician, Kevin O'Connor, explained that the neurologist in question has been a long-standing consultant and has been chosen for his extensive expertise and experience.

Later today, Biden is expected to address the Nato summit, where world leaders are discussing enhanced military support for Ukraine amid fears of increased Russian aggression. The outcome of the summit holds significance for Democrats, as concerns about Biden's ability to lead and maintain White House support persist. However, no significant opposition against Biden has emerged within the party, and it appears that most Democrats will remain silent as long as he remains on the ticket.

Despite the White House's defense against questions about Biden's health and mental acuity, a press briefing has left some reporters unsatisfied. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated that Biden is physically and mentally capable of serving a full term and that his medical team does not believe testing for Parkinson's disease is necessary.

Faced with a lack of unity and ongoing concerns about Biden's candidacy, House Democrats left a morning meeting downtrodden. While some key players, such as the Congressional Black Caucus and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, continue to stand by Biden, Representative Steve Cohen of Tennessee expressed a starkly different opinion, stating that the party is not even on the same page, let alone in the same book.

As the Nato summit unfolds and both Biden and Trump engage in various campaign activities, the focus on Biden's candidacy and his ability to connect with the American people remains prevalent. Biden's decision to reach out to MSNBC and call donors directly underscores his commitment to communicate directly with voters.

In the coming days, the future of Biden's candidacy and the Democratic Party's unity will continue to be closely scrutinized as the election draws nearer.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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