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Calls for Biden to reconsider his participation in running for the president have intensified in the past few weeks, especially after the presidential debate debacle that put a spotlight on his caliber. To make things worse, Biden has tested positive for COVID-19 and has been isolated, forcing him to run a virtual campaign during this pivotal time read more
 "Is Biden finally quitting? Family discusses possible exit route, says report")
US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden host an Independence Day celebration at the White House in Washington. Reuters file
Is Joe Biden going to quit the US presidential race soon? While no such announcement has been made yet, despite his Democrat colleagues pushing him to drop out, the Biden family has started discussing the possibility of his exit.
A report by NBC News quoted two people familiar with the matter as saying that the discussion among the Biden family about the 81-year-old president’s withdrawal from the re-run campaign, should he choose to do it, was centered around the party’s position to be able to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming US elections.
Calls for Biden to reconsider his participation in running for the president have intensified in the past few weeks, especially after the presidential debate debacle that put a spotlight on his caliber. To make things worse, Biden has tested positive for COVID-19 and has been isolated, forcing him to run a virtual campaign during this pivotal time.
What did the Biden family discuss?
The sources said that Biden’s family members have openly deliberated about his desire to conclude his re-election bid on his own terms, with a planned approach. Key considerations include the campaign’s impact on his health, his family, and the country’s stability.
The fact that his family is charting out a respectable exit plan for Biden is a significant development as the president has repeatedly rejected the idea of dropping out. From Nancy Pelosi to Barack Obama, key Democrats have flagged concerns about Biden’s health and have asked him to reconsider his reelection bid.
However, media reports suggest that Biden, this week, became more receptive to the suggestion of quitting the race, a change of behaviour that gained momentum after his COVID diagnosis.
‘Not happening’
Meanwhile, the White House still denies reports that Biden is going to quit.
White House spokesman Andrew Bates says that the Biden family did not have any such discussion among themselves.
“That is not happening, period. The individuals making those claims are not speaking for his family or his team — and they will be proven wrong. Keep the faith,” he said.
Biden campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillion acknowledged “slippage” in support for the president, but insisted he is “absolutely” remaining in the race and that the campaign sees “multiple paths" to beating Trump.
“We have a lot of work to do to reassure the American people that yes he’s old, but he can win," she told MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” show. But she said voters concerned about Biden’s fitness to lead aren’t switching to vote for Trump. “They have questions, but they are staying with Joe Biden," she said.
With inputs from agencies
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English (US) ·