Biden's Re-election Prospects Dim as Pelosi, Obama Express Concerns

Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama have reportedly raised doubts about President Biden's re-election chances, urging him to reconsider his candidacy amid growing pressure from within the party.

The walls appear to be closing in on President Biden's re-election campaign as prominent Democrats express concerns about his ability to defeat former President Donald Trump in 2024. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has reportedly told Biden in a phone call that polls show he cannot defeat Trump, while former President Barack Obama has confidentially expressed similar concerns to his allies.

These revelations have fueled speculation that Biden, who has faced mounting criticism for his age and performance in recent public appearances, may be pressured to drop out of the race. The calls for Biden to step aside have grown louder since his disastrous debate performance against Trump in late June, which left many Democrats questioning his electability.

Biden's Re-election Prospects Dim as Pelosi, Obama Express Concerns

Pelosi's phone call with Biden marked the second time they have spoken since the debate. According to CNN, which cited four sources briefed on the call, Pelosi did not explicitly tell Biden to drop out of the race. However, she expressed her concerns about his ability to win, citing polling data. Biden reportedly pushed back, stating that he had seen other polls indicating his viability.

Another source described Biden as becoming defensive about the polls during the call. Pelosi reportedly asked Mike Donilon, Biden's longtime adviser, to join the conversation to discuss the data. It is unclear when exactly the call took place, but one CNN source said it occurred within the last week.

Biden's Re-election Prospects Dim as Pelosi, Obama Express Concerns

Pelosi's reported intervention reflects a growing unease among Democrats about Biden's chances of defeating Trump. A spokesperson for Pelosi declined to comment on private conversations with the president but emphasized that she respects the confidentiality of such discussions.

Meanwhile, the Washington Post has reported that Obama has told his allies in recent days that he believes Biden needs to reconsider his candidacy. Obama has remained supportive of Biden in public, but his private remarks suggest that he shares the concerns of Pelosi and other Democrats.

Biden's Re-election Prospects Dim as Pelosi, Obama Express Concerns

Biden's campaign has been in disarray since the debate. The attempted assassination of Trump had temporarily tamped down calls for Biden to step aside. However, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) recently called on Biden to drop out, citing concerns about his electability.

Reuters, citing a top White House source, reported that Pelosi backed Schiff's call for Biden to withdraw. Pelosi's office has not addressed this report. A source who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity said that Pelosi is actively working to ease Biden off the ticket.

Biden's Re-election Prospects Dim as Pelosi, Obama Express Concerns

Last week, several House Democrats told The Hill that Pelosi was advising members not to rally behind Biden before a broader discussion about his candidacy. One lawmaker said Pelosi was "very concerned" about Biden's chances of defeating Trump.

The growing pressure from within the Democratic party has raised the possibility that Biden may be forced to reconsider his re-election bid. However, the president has so far resisted calls to step aside. It remains to be seen whether he will eventually yield to the concerns of his allies or continue his campaign despite the mounting challenges.