Biden Weighs Stepping Aside as Concerns Mount Over His Fitness to Serve

President Biden is reportedly considering whether to end his presidential campaign amid growing concerns from Democrats about his fitness to serve after a disastrous debate performance.

President Biden is facing mounting pressure to abandon his re-election bid just months after formally announcing his candidacy. The New York Times reported that Biden has privately expressed doubts to a "key ally" about his ability to win re-election if he cannot convince the American people that he is mentally and physically fit enough to serve.

Sources close to Biden say he understands the need to perform well in his upcoming public appearances, including an interview with George Stephanopoulos of ABC News 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, an unnamed source told the Times.

Biden Weighs Stepping Aside as Concerns Mount Over His Fitness to Serve

The president's poor showing at the CNN Presidential Debate on Thursday has sparked widespread criticism and concern among Democrats. His halting delivery and inability to provide clear answers on key issues raised questions about his cognitive abilities and overall fitness for office.

In the wake of the debate, several elected Democrats have publicly urged Biden to end his campaign. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota said Biden's performance "deeply troubled" him and called for a "change at the top." Rep. Lucy McBath of Georgia echoed Phillips' sentiments, saying it was time for "new leadership" in the Democratic Party.

Biden Weighs Stepping Aside as Concerns Mount Over His Fitness to Serve

A poll conducted by USA TODAY/Suffolk University found that 54% of voters believe Biden should drop out of the race, including 42% of Democrats. The poll also revealed that a majority of voters, 64%, think Biden is cognitively unfit to serve as president.

Biden's age, 81, has also become a factor in the growing calls for him to step aside. He is the oldest president in the nation's history and his critics argue that he lacks the stamina and mental agility required for the demands of the office.

Biden Weighs Stepping Aside as Concerns Mount Over His Fitness to Serve

The president is scheduled to meet with Democratic governors at the White House on Wednesday to discuss the fallout from the debate. However, several governors have acknowledged the president's poor debate performance and have expressed their support for his decision to continue running.

Despite the chorus of criticism, the president's campaign manager, Quentin Fulks, insists that Biden is still determined to win re-election. "There are a number of rumors floating out there. The president is in this race to win it. He is the Democratic nominee. And from our perspective, we are going to continue to do everything we can to make sure that we're building a campaign apparatus to reach voters," Fulks said.

Biden Weighs Stepping Aside as Concerns Mount Over His Fitness to Serve

However, the growing number of Democrats publicly calling on Biden to step down suggests that the president may face an uphill battle in convincing the party and the American people that he is fit to lead for another four years.