President Biden has reportedly confided in a key ally that he may need to reassess his candidacy if he cannot convince the public of his capabilities in the coming days, according to reporting by The New York Times. This revelation comes in the wake of what many observers described as a problematic debate performance about a week ago.
The president, while still actively campaigning, acknowledges the critical nature of his upcoming public appearances. These include a scheduled interview with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos on Friday, and campaign stops in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
"He knows if he has two more events like that, we're in a different place" by the end of the weekend, the ally told The New York Times, referring to Biden's "halting and unfocused performance" in the debate. The source spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the situation.
However, Andrew Bates, a White House spokesman, strongly refuted this claim, stating it was "absolutely false." This disclosure marks the first public indication that the president is seriously considering whether he can recover from what many viewed as a subpar debate showing in Atlanta on Thursday. It comes amid growing concerns about his viability as a candidate and his capacity to serve another four-year term.
A senior adviser to Biden, also speaking anonymously to The New York Times, confirmed that the president was "well aware of the political challenge he faces."
The Biden campaign is closely monitoring polls, recognizing that unfavorable numbers could fuel the crisis. A recent CBS News poll showed former President Donald J. Trump slightly ahead of Biden nationally (50% to 48%) and in battleground states (51% to 48%) since the debate.
In response to the situation, President Biden is gradually reaching out to Democratic elected officials. A meeting with Democratic governors at the White House is scheduled for Wednesday evening. He is also consulting with long-trusted confidants and has reportedly expressed openness to the possibility that his strategy to move past the debate performance and refocus attention on Trump may not succeed.
Despite the challenges, several of Biden's allies emphasize that the president is still in the fight of his political life. They view this moment as an opportunity for him to stage a comeback, reminiscent of previous instances throughout his 50-year career when he has overcome being "counted out."
However, these same allies acknowledge that the president is realistic about his uphill battle to convince voters, donors, and the political class that his debate performance was an anomaly. The coming days are seen as crucial in determining whether Biden can salvage his candidacy or if he may need to consider stepping aside.
As the holiday weekend approaches, all eyes will be on President Biden's upcoming appearances, which could prove pivotal in determining the future of his campaign and his political legacy.
