Reports suggest that Former President Barack Obama has expressed concern about the impact of President Joe Biden’s shaky performance in the recent presidential debate on his chances of winning the election in November.
The Washington Post reported that Obama reached out to Biden after the debate to show his support for the campaign going forward, but also shared a more critical assessment with some close Democratic allies.
Related story: Biden attempts to reassure campaign after debate stumbles: ‘I’m in this race to the end’
Despite Biden’s lackluster performance at the debate and his own admission of “falling asleep on the stage,” he is determined to continue in the race and defeat former President Trump in November. Both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have reaffirmed their commitment to stay in the race.
President Biden stated in a campaign call, “I’m in this race to the end and we’re going to win because when Democrats unite, we will always win. Just as we beat Donald Trump in 2020, we’re going to beat him again in 2024.”
The fallout from the debate has overshadowed Biden’s criticisms of Trump’s falsehoods during the event, leading to efforts to address concerns raised by House Democrats like Texas Rep. Lloyd Doggett and Arizona Rep. Raúl Grijalva who called for Biden to withdraw from the race.
Related story: An election historian explains why Biden should stay in the race
New polls showing Trump ahead of Biden nationally have sparked doubts about the President’s campaign, with a Wall Street Journal survey indicating a 6-point lead for Trump and a decline in support for Biden.
In a New York Times-Siena College poll, Trump led among likely voters, further adding to concerns about Biden’s candidacy.
Despite these challenges, Biden’s campaign leaders remain optimistic, anticipating fluctuations in the polls and emphasizing the importance of engaging with voters about the election choice.
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