Some Democrats Doubt Biden's Candidacy; George Clooney, a Major Supporter, Calls for Him to Withdraw

Joe Biden, the President of the United States, has explicitly stated that he will continue his campaign against Republican candidate Donald Trump. However, some of his fellow Democrats and powerful supporters are uncertain about his ability to defeat Trump and have questioned his decision to continue campaigning. Eleven out of 213 Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives have called for Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race; however, in the Senate, until Wednesday, no Democratic senators had raised this request until Peter Welch from Vermont became the first Democrat in the Senate to do so. Nancy Pelosi, the former Speaker of the House, who remains an influential figure among congressional Democrats, has expressed less certainty about Biden being the Democratic standard-bearer in the November 5 election. She told MSNBC, "It depends on the President to decide whether to run or not. But we encourage him to make this decision because time is short. He is popular, respected, and I do not, but people want him to make this decision." Joe Biden says he will remain in the race and that only "the Almighty" can ask him to end his campaign. He has urged Democratic lawmakers to support his campaign. On Tuesday, July 29, Democratic senators and House members held a closed-door meeting. Some expressed their support for Biden to remain in the race, while a handful of representatives asked him to end his candidacy. George Clooney, the famous actor who was one of the hosts of a major fundraising event for Biden's campaign in Hollywood last month, claimed in an article published by The New York Times that the President is experiencing a "spiritual and physical decline" and has urged him to end his campaign for re-election to the White House. This Hollywood star, one of Biden's biggest supporters, along with stars like Julia Roberts, managed to raise about $28 million for Biden's campaign at the fundraising event last month in California. Clooney wrote in his New York Times article that "the dam has broken" and added, "We can bury our heads in the sand and pray for a miracle in November, or we can tell the truth." He further stated, "Senior Democrats, including Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, Nancy Pelosi, senators, representatives, and others who are facing defeat in November should ask the President to voluntarily withdraw." Many have expressed concerns about Biden's continued campaign, especially since his campaign's failure could severely reduce the Democrats' chances of maintaining their slim Senate majority or regaining control of the House from the Republicans. As Biden hosts leaders of NATO member countries in Washington, some congressional lawmakers have adopted a "wait and see" approach. Pete Aguilar, a Democratic House member from California, said, "Right now, President Biden is the nominee, and we support the Democratic nominee who can defeat Donald Trump." He emphasized that we should wait and assess conditions and situations in the coming days. Michael Bennet, a senator from Colorado, told his Democratic colleagues that he does not think Biden will win the election. He told CNN that he believes Trump is on a path that "could lead to a decisive victory and take both the Senate and the House." However, this senator refrained from calling for Biden's withdrawal. George Stephanopoulos, an ABC host who interviewed Biden last Friday about his readiness to continue the presidential race, turned to a passerby on the street who asked about Biden's withdrawal and said he does not think he can serve another four years. Stephanopoulos then stated that he should not have answered the passerby's question. Biden defended his mental and physical capabilities during the interview with ABC; he stated that he would continue to compete in the U.S. presidential elections. The Supreme Court: Trump has broad immunity in the election interference case. Opposition from key Democratic leaders to some calls for Biden's withdrawal from the election race. The first debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, the two candidates for the 2024 U.S. presidential election.