US President Joe Biden‘s recent debate performance has intensified calls from media pundits and editorial boards for him to step aside in the 2024 presidential race, adding to concerns already brewing among Democrats on Capitol Hill and within the administration.
This is significant because most of these media outlets are not right leaning but left leaning. All of them are quite sympathetic to the Democratic party.
New York Times, The New Yorker, both turn on Biden
Several prominent editorial boards and media figures have joined the call for Biden to step down. The New York Times, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The New Yorker have all published pieces pressing for a new candidate to lead the Democratic ticket.
The New York Times editorial board published an op-ed titled “To Serve His Country, President Biden Should Leave the Race,” stating that Biden appeared as “the shadow of a great public servant” during the debate. The board argued that there are other Democratic leaders who are “better equipped to present clear, compelling, and energetic alternatives to a second Trump presidency.”
Following suit, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s board and a New Yorker editor published similar arguments, suggesting that the best candidate to defeat former President Trump is not Biden. The New Yorker even named potential alternatives such as Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, asserting they could “energize Democrats and independents, inspire more younger voters, and beat Trump.”
What is the Post saying?
The Washington Post’s editorial board, while not outright calling for Biden to withdraw, suggested he spend the weekend in “soul-searching” rather than following his usual plans.
Even MSNBC has turned on Biden
Even MSNBC host Joe Scarborough asked “whether this man we’ve known and loved for a very long time is up to the task of running for president of the United States.” This is noteworthy because Biden himself is a loyal viewer of Scarborough’s “Morning Joe”. Reports suggest that Biden often even seeks Scarborough’s opinions on key issues.
New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman echoed Scarborough’s sentiments, sharing that watching Biden struggle on the debate stage brought him to tears.
How effective will this media pressure be?
The answer is not very effective. This isn’t the first time the New York Times editorial board has withheld its support for Biden. In 2020, the board endorsed Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar during the Democratic primary.
It is worth remembering that editorial board opinions do not always sway voters. Despite numerous critical columns targeting Trump, his support base has remained robust. However, all these editorials do reveal an important development – significant portion of the American elite is worried that Biden’s frailty will result in Trump winning the election.
As Biden’s team navigates the aftermath of the debate, the increasing media pressure adds a new dimension to his re-election campaign, forcing a re-evaluation of strategies and candidacy viability.
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