Staff Reports
President Joe Biden’s lackluster debate performance against former President Donald Trump has left many Democrats anxious about his chances for reelection. The Washington Post reported that there were even rumblings within the party calling for Biden to resign, with concerns mounting over West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin potentially distancing himself from the President during a television appearance.
Despite Manchin’s history with the Democratic Party, there were fears he might break ranks, prompting top Democrats like Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer to exert pressure on him to stay in line. However, Manchin’s senior political adviser quickly refuted suggestions of coercion, maintaining that the Senator speaks his mind independently.
Manchin threatened to break with Biden before senior Democrats intervened https://t.co/ozWQ62evy8
— Post Politics (@postpolitics) July 2, 2024
With only 27% of voters in a recent CBS News poll expressing confidence in Biden’s mental acuity, doubts about his ability to lead persist. The Post highlighted efforts within the Democratic Party to stifle dissent on the matter, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries reportedly urging candidates to steer clear of criticizing the President.
The idea of replacing Biden with Manchin as the Democratic nominee gained traction as columnist Ross Douthat suggested that nominating the more centrist Senator could signal a willingness to compromise ideologically. Douthat argued that such a move could be strategic in appealing to a broader spectrum of voters and improving the Democrats’ chances of winning.
While some Democrats may be considering a recalibration of their strategy in light of Biden’s weaknesses, the prospect of a party divided over ideological differences looms large in the face of calls for a more moderate approach to the upcoming election.
