US President Joe Biden Withdraws from Re-Election Bid Amid Doubts Over Mental Acuity
Washington D.C. – In a surprise move, US President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he is withdrawing from his re-election bid, citing concerns over his mental agility and physical abilities. The 81-year-old Democrat becomes the first US president to withdraw from a re-election campaign at this stage.
Background
Biden’s decision comes after weeks of speculation about his ability to serve a second term. His campaign team and he himself had insisted that he would go all the way, but the Democrat’s disastrous performance during a June 27 debate with Republican rival Donald Trump raised concerns about his age and mental acuity.
The Debate
During the debate, Biden appeared hesitant, confused, and struggled to complete sentences. He also coughed frequently and had a cold. The performance left Democrats dismayed and disoriented, and raised questions about his ability to serve as president.
The Fallout
As the days went by, heavyweights from the Democratic Party began to turn against Biden. Former President Barack Obama, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Democratic congressional leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries all expressed concern about Biden’s candidacy. The images of Biden testing positive for Covid-19 and struggling to get off a plane only amplified the concerns.
The Democratic Party’s Dilemma
The Democratic Party now faces the task of finding a replacement candidate with only a few days left until the convention scheduled for Chicago starting on August 19. Vice President Kamala Harris would be a natural choice, but not automatic. The final say lies with the party delegates, 3,900 people with varied profiles and most of them unknown to the public.
The Republican Party’s Advantage
Meanwhile, Donald Trump, who survived an assassination attempt, seems to be enjoying a state of grace, with legal victories and consecration at the Republican Party convention.
