Washington, D.C (Washington Insider Magazine) – President Joe Biden was strongly encouraged by his family at a meeting at Camp David on Sunday to continue his re-election campaign, despite some Democrats urging him to withdraw after a lacklustre debate performance against former President Donald Trump. According to two Biden advisers quoted by CNN, the family offered “unconditional support” during the meeting, which was also attended by First Lady Jill Biden, her children and grandchildren.
Planned Photo Shoot Turns into Crucial Meeting
The meeting, originally planned for a photo shoot with photographer Annie Leibovitz, took on greater significance as the president’s family has always played an important role in his policy decisions. The family urged Biden to fight on as they believe he can serve another term despite concerns about his age — he would be 81 years old, making him the oldest president in US history.
Hunter Biden’s Vocal Support
According to Elnuevodiario, Hunter Biden, the president’s son, has strongly campaigned for his father to stay in the race, emphasizing that he needs to prove his resilience to voters. Hunter, who is struggling with legal issues stemming from a Trump-era investigation, believes that continuing his father’s campaign would counter the image of an aging leader struggling during the debate.
Family Offers to Boost Campaign Efforts
Other family members also pledged to be more involved in the campaign. According to a source cited by The New York Times, one of Biden’s grandsons suggested leveraging social media influencers to enhance the campaign’s message.
Criticism of Biden’s Advisers
Privately, the family expressed frustration with Biden’s debate preparation, specifically criticizing Anita Dunn and her husband, Robert Bauer, who played Trump during practice sessions. Major Democratic donor John Morgan publicly called for the resignation of Dunn and Bauer and criticized Ron Klain, Biden’s former chief of staff, for allegedly over-preparing the president, leaving him exhausted by the time of the debate.
Voter Sentiment and Poll Results
Biden has acknowledged his debate performance fell short, noting that his hoarse voice and occasional incoherence did not alleviate voter concerns about his age. Recent polls reflect this, with a CBS survey showing that 45% of Democratic voters believe Biden should withdraw in favor of a different candidate. Additionally, 72% of Americans questioned his fitness to govern, a significant increase from pre-debate figures.
Potential Alternatives Lack Stronger Support
Despite the criticism, a survey by the Data for Progress think tank indicates that none of the potential alternatives to Biden, such as Vice President Kamala Harris or Governors Gavin Newsom and Gretchen Whitmer, have better odds of defeating Trump. In hypothetical matchups, these candidates perform similarly or worse than Biden against the former president.
The family’s backing and the lack of stronger alternatives underscore the complexities facing the Democratic Party as it navigates the upcoming election cycle.