President Joe Biden is facing many new questions about his reelection campaign after the announcement Wednesday evening that he has been diagnosed with Covid-19.
The president’s campaign events are currently paused due to his diagnosis.
Top Democrats Speak To Biden About Stepping Aside
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the two top Democrats in the US Congress, have both met with President Biden individually to express their concern about his reelection campaign.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has also privately expressed to the president that he will be unable to beat Donald Trump in November’s election.
Mr. Schumer and Mr. Jeffries Have Their Say
Both Mr. Jeffries and Mr. Schumer expressed their concern in private meetings with the president that his presence at the top of the Democratic ticket will hurt their chances for controlling either chamber of the US Congress after the election.
When asked about their respective meetings Mr. Schumer’s office said he “conveyed the views of his caucus directly to President Biden” and a spokesman for Mr. Jeffries said “it was a private conversation that will remain private.”
Ms. Pelosi Expresses Similar Concerns
CNN has said that Nancy Pelosi, in her recent private conversation with President Biden, expressed worries that by staying in the race he could hurt the Democrats’ chance of winning back the House in November.
Ms. Pelosi’s office told CNN she has not been in contact with the president since Friday so it is unclear when exactly this conversation took place.
More Prominent Dems Join The Chorus
In recent weeks about two dozen Democratic politicians have publicly called for Mr. Biden to step away from the race for president, beginning after his disastrous debate against former president Trump.
Among the most prominent is Congressman Adam Schiff, who has called on President Biden to “pass the torch.”
President Biden Remains Committed, But Leaves A Notable Way Out
In an interview with BET on Wednesday President Biden remained vocally committed to running for president, saying he felt he could not pass the mantle with the country so “divided.”
Notably the president did say that he would consider dropping out if any of his doctors said he had a “medical condition.” Approximately four hours later it would be announced the president had tested positive for Covid-19.
Biden Said To Be Facing Mild Symptoms
After announcing President Biden’s Covid infection on Wednesday his press secretary made sure to note that the president was facing mild symptoms.
Later in the day the president’s doctor Kevin O’Conner said Mr. Biden presented with upper respiratory symptoms, including a cough and runny nose.
The Moments Leading Up To Biden’s Covid Announcement
President Biden had been visiting supporters at a Mexican restaurant in Las Vegas prior to the announcement of his Covid diagnosis and was seen shaking hands and taking selfies with diners and even kissing one.
The president was specifically in Las Vegas to help shore up support among Hispanic voters, with whom his support has been slipping. He was forced to cancel a speech later in the day at UnidosUS, a Latino civil rights organization.
The Immediate Aftermath Of Biden’s Covid Announcement
President Biden’s press secretary made sure to tell the press that the president will be isolating at home in Delaware while “carrying out all of his duties fully.”
Mr. Biden was later seen moving cautiously up the stairs to Air Force One and was heard saying “Good, I feel good” as he boarded the plane.
Looking Ahead
President Biden’s future as the presidential nominee is now more up in the air than it has ever been.
Will the pressure from colleagues and his Covid diagnosis make him drop out of the race? And if so, who will replace him? Only the President himself knows for now.
