Schumer, Pelosi increase pressure on Biden to step aside
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US Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer told President Joe Biden it would be better for the country if he ended his re-election campaign.
PHOTO: NYTIMES
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WASHINGTON - Top Democrats including US Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have increased pressure on President Joe Biden to withdraw from his re-election campaign over concerns that he cannot defeat Republican challenger Donald Trump, US media reported on July 17.
Mr Schumer told Mr Biden in a meeting on July 13 that it would be better for the country and the Democratic Party if he ended his re-election campaign, ABC News reported.
US House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has expressed similar views directly to Mr Biden, ABC News reported, citing a source familiar with the conversation.
CNN reported on July 17 that Mrs Pelosi, too, has told Mr Biden that polling shows he cannot defeat Trump, and that the President could destroy the Democrats’ chances of winning back control of the House of Representatives.
Mrs Pelosi spoke to Mr Biden in a recent telephone call, CNN reported, citing four sources briefed on the call. None of the sources indicated she told him he should leave the race, CNN said.
Mr Biden responded by telling Mrs Pelosi he has seen polling indicating he can win, according to one CNN source.
A Pelosi spokesperson told CNN that Mrs Pelosi has not spoken to Mr Biden since July 12.
Earlier on July 17, Democratic US Representative Adam Schiff became the 20th congressional Democrat to publicly call for Mr Biden to drop out of the race.
Democratic concern about the 81-year-old incumbent’s ability to beat Trump, or to serve another four years in office, surged after Mr Biden’s halting June 27 debate performance.
Mr Schumer’s office responded to the report about his meeting with the President with a statement calling it “idle speculation”, and said Mr Schumer “conveyed the views of his caucus directly to President Biden on Saturday”.
Mr Biden has repeatedly rejected calls from Democrats to drop out of the race.
White House spokesman Andrew Bates said in a statement: “The President told both leaders he is the nominee of the party, he plans to win, and looks forward to working with both of them to pass his 100 days agenda to help working families.” REUTERS
