To celebrate the 15-year anniversary of their 2008 victory, former president Barack Obama recently tweeted a video in favor of President Joe Biden’s 2024 reelection.
For eight years, @POTUS and I worked to deliver change for the American people. I couldn’t have asked for a better Vice President and friend — and we’ll always be thankful to all the campaign staff and Administration alumni who helped bring that progress to folks across the… pic.twitter.com/MmLLTV8EB8
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 5, 2023
Many members of the Democratic Party failed to share Obama’s enthusiasm. Due to new polls showing Trump leading Biden in five of six key battleground states ahead of the 2024 presidential election, many Democrats have suggested the president not run for reelection.
David Axelrod, a former senior advisor during Obama’s presidency, suggested that the president reconsider his reelection bid.
The greatest concern is that his biggest liability is the one thing he can't change. Among all the unpredictables there is one thing that is sure: the age arrow only points in one direction.
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) November 5, 2023
It's very late to change horses; a lot will happen in the next year that no one can predict & Biden's team says his resolve to run is firm.
He's defied CW before but this will send tremors of doubt thru the party–not "bed-wetting," but legitimate concern. https://t.co/g6zeWF0T87— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) November 5, 2023
Democratic senator Richard Blumenthal stated that the party has “its work cut out for us” after the polls showed Biden losing Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, and Pennsylvania, states which he had won in the 2020 election.
“I was concerned before these polls, and I’m concerned now,” said the Connecticut senator. “These presidential races over the last couple of terms have been very tight. No one is going to have a runaway election here. It’s going to take a lot of hard work, concentration, and resources.”
Even anti-Trump conservatives have concerns about Biden being able to win the 2024 presidential election. Bill Kristol, who endorsed Biden in the 2020 presidential election also took to X to suggest that Biden passes the “torch to the next generation.”
It's time.
President Biden has served our country well. I'm confident he'll do so for the next year.
But it's time for an act of personal sacrifice and public spirit.
It's time to pass the torch to the next generation.
It's time for Biden to announce he won't run in 2024.
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) November 5, 2023
Many members of Biden’s party believe that his age is also a factor. Washington Post columnist David Ignatius wrote a column suggesting that Biden’s age is a “liability” for the party. He also suggested that the president withdraw himself from the race.
“It might not be in character for Biden, but it would be a wise choice for the country,” Ignatius wrote.
In a poll conducted by CNN, 56% of Democrats are “seriously concerned” for the president’s “current level of physical and mental competence.” More than half of Democrats reported concerns about his ability to win the election and 69% stated that he was too old for a second term.
If re-elected, Biden will be 86 at the end of his second term.
The question now is whether Democrats will unite and agree with Obama or go into the 2024 presidential election divided.
