Former President Barack Obama is the latest Democrat heavy hitter pressuring President Biden to reconsider his 2024 run for re-election, and it may have worked. Journalist Mark Halperin posted the following to X:
BREAKING NEWS: Multiples sources outline the apparent state of play on Biden at this time: * plans to announce withdrawal from nomination as early as this weekend, with Sunday most likely * Jon Meacham polishing up remarks * Biden with NOT resign the presidency * Biden will NOT endorse Harris * open convention with Harris and about 3 others * super delegates will not be allowed to vote on 1st ballot * Harris is vetting at least four possible running mates, including Andy Beshear and possibly Shapiro
Obama and Biden have only spoken once since the president’s debate debacle on June 27 — but the former stressed during that conversation that his old running mate’s chances of beating Donald Trump were “greatly diminished,” the Washington Post reported.
Thursday, Axios broke the news that “several top Democrats privately tell us the rising pressure of party congressional leaders and close friends will persuade President Biden to decide to drop out of the presidential race, as soon as this weekend.”
However, there is still conflicting information. Quentin Fulks, principal deputy campaign manager for the Biden-Harris campaign said: “Our campaign is not working through any scenarios where President Biden is not at the top of the ticket. He is and will be the Democratic nominee.”
“In recent days the President has become more committed to staying in the race,” a senior Biden aide said.
However, Axios reports:
But Biden is doing two new and telling things: listening more and asking about Vice President Harris’ prospects against Trump. That’s why you see all the leaks about Biden being open-minded. He would hardly talk to naysayers a week ago.