US elections 2024 After crisis meeting on Biden: Perplexity among Democrats

SDA

9.7.2024 - 20:59

dpatopbilder - US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrive after a campaign event at Harrisburg International Airport in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Photo: Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP/dpa
Keystone

Following a meeting of Democratic members of the US Congress on the political future of US President Joe Biden, a number of parliamentarians have expressed their disillusionment.

09.07.2024, 20:59

11.07.2024, 08:46

Representative Sean Casten spoke of a "great sadness" about the party's dilemma as to whether to continue supporting the 81-year-old in the election campaign. The question of whether the Democrats would read from the same page was answered in the negative by Representative Steve Cohen from the state of Tennessee. "We're not even reading from the same book," he said, according to the media.

Disagreement among Democrats

Even though no other members of Congress openly opposed Biden after the important meeting, enthusiasm was limited. Left-wing Democrat Ro Khanna from the state of California complained that Biden was not listening enough to the young people in the party and was relying on his family and advisors to decide whether he should stay in the race. However, Khanna also emphasized that the Democrats must stand together behind one candidate, "no matter who it is". Biden confidant Jim Clyburn, on the other hand, spoke of a "very positive" atmosphere at the meeting.

Some MPs did not want to comment on the topic to reporters - Biden had called on his party colleagues the day before in unusually clear terms to end the debate about his suitability and fitness. This week, parliamentarians have reconvened in Congress after a recess. The coming days could be decisive. The question is whether leading Democrats will join the public call by a few MPs for Biden to withdraw.

Pete Aguilar, a leading Democrat in the House of Representatives, said at a press conference after today's meeting: "Currently, President Biden is the nominee, and we support the Democratic nominee." The meeting had served to listen to each other. Aguilar repeatedly emphasized that it was essentially about "keeping Biden's Republican challenger Donald Trump out of the White House".

Doubts about Biden's suitability

Since his TV debacle against Trump, Biden has increasingly had to put up with questions about his mental fitness. He has also come under pressure within the Democratic Party. There is a debate in the USA as to whether Biden is really the right Democratic presidential candidate for the election in November due to his advanced age. Biden rejects any doubts.