Democrats remain distant from Joe Biden's candidacy

One of the leading media outlets in the US, The New York Times, reported that during a meeting attended by members of the Democratic Party in the House of Representatives, a consensus emerged that US President Joe Biden "should withdraw from the presidential race."

Sources who spoke to the newspaper on the condition of anonymity stated that during the meeting held online yesterday, concerns among Democrats regarding "Biden's age and the possibility of his re-election" were discussed.

Sources present at the meeting noted that during the session organized by Democratic Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, a "widespread consensus" emerged regarding the need to change the presidential candidate in order for the party to "retain the White House and maintain its majority in Congress."

The sources, who reported that high-level Democrats chairing various committees in the US House of Representatives were among those expressing the opinion that Biden "should definitely withdraw from the presidential race," also stated that some members of Congress expressed their support for Biden.

Democratic Party officials indicated that even among those who continue to support Biden, the prevailing thought is that "the President needs to put in more effort to win the race." Furthermore, it was stated that the very fact that the meeting was organized by Jeffries is an indicator of the "atmosphere of panic" within the party.

FIRST LIVE DEBATE HAD SPARKED CRITICISM

Democratic Party candidate Joe Biden and his Republican rival Donald Trump, who are competing in the presidential elections to be held in the US on November 5, faced off in their first live debate on CNN on the night of June 27.

The 81-year-old Biden failed to deliver a performance that would alleviate concerns about his age in his bid for a second term and was subjected to intense criticism after the program. Calls for Biden to "withdraw from the presidential election" were made by segments of the Democratic Party and some media outlets that support him.

Biden, however, acknowledged that his health is not what it used to be, but stated that he is still the best alternative against Trump and announced that he would not withdraw from the race.

Lloyd Doggett, a Democratic member of the US House of Representatives, became the first Democratic member of Congress to call on Joe Biden to "withdraw from the presidential race" on July 2.