Pressure is mounting for President Joe Biden to abstain from running for a second term.
Polls show most Americans believe the president is too old to effectively serve a second term. On Tuesday, a notable Ohio Democrat took it to the next level, saying of Biden, “Death is imminent.”
The comment was shared by Sharon Sweda, head of the Democratic Party in Lorain County, Ohio. Sweda told the Washington Post she “often” hears Democratic voters expressing concerns about the president’s health.
Noting that she feels former President Donald Trump is also too old to serve another term, Sweda said: “We are all on a ticking clock. But when you’re at [Biden’s] age or at Trump’s age, that clock is ticking a little faster, and that’s a concern for voters.”
On Sept. 12, the Washington Post ran an article by David Ignatius titled, “President Biden should not run again in 2024.” The article quoted an Associated Press-NORC poll “showing that 77 percent of the public, including 69 percent of Democrats, think {Biden’s] too old to be effective for four more years.”
Fox News quoted Ohio DNC leaders expressing concern that Biden would win the nomination but, due to health concerns, would fall out before the election. Many preferred Biden drop out of the race now to ensure the party avoids this “worst-case scenario.”
According to the Fox report, an anonymous Ohio “lawmaker” said: “The worst-case scenario is we get past the nominating process with President Biden as the nominee, and then he’s no longer able to continue on as the nominee. That’s the nightmare scenario for Democrats.”
Other Democrats have sounded the alarm — warning that a move should be made now to have Biden step aside and make way for a strong candidate to represent the party in 2024.
Strategist James Carville sounded the alarm in an interview with the New York Times on Monday. “The voters don’t want this, and that’s in poll after poll after poll. You can’t look at what you look at and not feel some apprehension here.”
Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota told NBC News he believes “there are other candidates who have a far better chance and don’t have the actuarial risk that the president has.”
Ignatius advised Biden and Vice President Harris to drop out of the race in his Sept. 12 piece:
“It’s painful to say that, given my admiration for much of what they have accomplished. But if he and Harris campaign together in 2024, I think Biden risks undoing his greatest achievement — which was stopping Trump,” he wrote.
The White House dismisses age-related concerns noting that with age comes wisdom. Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said recently, “80 is the new 40, didn’t you hear.”
Political foes mercilessly pound Biden for his chronic gaffes, exaggerations and false statements. According to the Fox report, Biden’s supporters “suggested that Biden could take the lead in the race if he’s able to overcome a persistent and growing feeling in the electorate that his advanced age is his defining characteristic.”
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