Political leaders express growing concerns about President Biden’s candidacy

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Political leaders across the country are raising growing concerns about President Joe Biden’s ability to run for a second term.

The AP reports that former President Barack Obama and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have urged Biden to drop out.

In a statement sent Thursday, Congressman Jim Costa called on Biden to withdraw from the race, writing:

“President Biden has been an incredible president who has led this country back to strength after the pandemic. I am proud of the work we have done to pass groundbreaking legislation that will result in the first real investments in our communities in decades. But for the good of the country, I think it is time for the president to pass the torch to the next generation to carry on the legacy he started. Democrats must unite and present their strongest team to the American people in this election.”

We asked our ABC30 political analysts to share their thoughts on the future of Biden’s candidacy.

Republican Connie Conway believes Biden will drop out, but will not announce it for a few days.

“If I had to guess, I would say that President Biden will announce in the next few days that he will not run for re-election. I personally don’t think that will happen before tonight. Because I think everyone wants Trump to give a speech, assuming that Biden is going to be the nominee,” Conway said.

A new video of President Biden can be seen slowly disembarking from Air Force One early Thursday morning, hours after testing positive for COVID-19.

Just last week, he mistakenly referred to Ukrainian President Zelensky by the name of the man he is waging war against: Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Later that day, he called his running mate, Vice President Trump.

These slip-ups reinforce doubts about President Biden’s ability to lead if re-elected in 2029.

“Suppose he can win it? Can he stay there for four years? It seems increasingly unlikely that he has the stamina and the manliness to last the full four years,” Conway said.

But Democrat Henry Perea says the party will stand behind Biden in any case.

“But in my opinion, he has an excellent command of the world stage. And what’s happening and how he’s dealing with it. Him and his team. I think they’re doing a great job. He’s done a great job as our president for the last three and a half years and until he makes the decision, I’m going to be behind him 100%,” Perea said.

Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump received his party’s nomination at the RNC in Milwaukee, just hours after surviving an assassination attempt.

The Democratic National Convention begins on August 19 in Chicago, but the party will nominate its candidate virtually on August 7.

Our two political analysts say the best thing people can do is exercise their right to vote as we continue to monitor developments on who will lead our nation starting in 2025.

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