In a striking public statement, actor and prominent Democratic fundraiser George Clooney has called for President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. Clooney’s remarks come on the heels of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s ambiguous comments on Biden’s candidacy, signaling a rising unease within the Democratic Party. as reported by BBC.
Clooney, in an op-ed for the New York Times, praised Biden’s long career of victories but stated, “The one battle he cannot win is the fight against time.” He expressed dismay that the Biden he recently met at a fundraiser was not the same as in previous years. “He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020,” Clooney lamented, referencing Biden’s performance at a debate with Donald Trump.
The Hollywood star’s appeal followed Pelosi’s suggestion that time was running out for Biden, 81, to decide on his candidacy after a lackluster debate performance. Despite Pelosi’s careful wording, her comments added to the chorus of voices within the party urging Biden to reconsider.
The Biden campaign was quick to respond, pointing out the president’s stamina during a lengthy fundraiser and his recent travels from the G7 summit in Italy. An unnamed source criticized Clooney, saying, “The President stayed for over 3 hours [at the fundraiser], while Clooney took a photo quickly and left.”
Clooney emphasized in his article that the party leaders must acknowledge the visible challenges. “This is about age. Nothing more,” he wrote. “We are not going to win in November with this president.” He asserted that his concerns reflected those of “every” member of Congress he had spoken to.
Public dissent within the Democratic Party is intensifying, particularly as Biden hosts the NATO summit in Washington. Pelosi, a significant influence among Democrats, recently urged Biden to make a swift decision on his candidacy. “It’s up to the president to decide if he’s going to run. We are all encouraging him to make that decision because time is running short,” she said.
Since the June 27 debate with Trump, approximately a dozen elected Democrats have suggested Biden end his campaign. Notably, Michael Bennet of Colorado predicted a potential Trump landslide victory and Peter Welch of Vermont openly called for Biden to withdraw for the country’s good. Other Democrats, including Senator Richard Blumenthal and Congressman Pat Ryan, have voiced serious concerns about Biden’s ability to secure another term. report from NBC News.
Despite these pressures, the Biden campaign maintains that the president is committed to running. Support from influential Democrats like California Governor Gavin Newsom, the Congressional Black Caucus, and progressive House members remains strong. Senate leader Chuck Schumer publicly supports Biden but is reportedly open to considering alternatives.
As the NATO summit unfolds, the Democratic Party’s internal debate over Biden’s candidacy continues to garner attention, suggesting a pivotal moment for the party’s future.
