Biden’s COVID Diagnosis Adds to Mounting Concerns Over His Fitness for Office
By Obinna Ejianya (9News Nigeria )
US IPresident, Joe Biden has been forced to cancel a campaign event in Las Vegas after testing positive for COVID-19. This latest development comes amidst growing calls from within his own party for the 81-year-old leader to step down from the 2024 presidential race.
The White House has confirmed that Biden is experiencing “mild symptoms” and will be self-isolating at his home in Delaware, where he will continue to carry out his duties. However, this latest health scare has only served to exacerbate concerns about the president’s physical and mental fitness to lead the country.
Just last month, Biden faced a disastrous performance in a debate against former President Donald Trump, which sparked a flurry of concern among Democrats that he may not be up to the rigors of another presidential campaign. The ABC News broadcaster has reported that the leader of the Democrats in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, has directly conveyed to Biden that it would be better for the country and the party if he ended his re-election bid.
Adding to the growing chorus of dissent, Democratic Representative Adam Schiff has become the 20th congressional Democrat to publicly call for Biden to drop out of the race. “While the choice to withdraw from the campaign is President Biden’s alone, I believe it is time for him to pass the torch,” Schiff said in a statement. “And in doing so, secure his legacy of leadership by allowing us to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming election.”
A recent poll by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research has shown that nearly two-thirds of Democrats believe Biden should drop out of the race and allow the party to choose a new candidate. Only about three in 10 Democrats also said they were extremely or very confident that Biden has the mental capability to serve effectively as president, down slightly from 40 percent that said the same in a February poll.
The timing of Biden’s COVID-19 diagnosis could not be worse, as it comes at a critical juncture in the campaign. Al Jazeera’s John Hendren, reporting from Washington, D.C., has stated that it is crucial for the White House to be “crystal clear” about the president’s health, as there are widespread concerns that his mental and physical condition have been hidden from the public.
This is not the first time Biden has faced health challenges during his presidency. In the summer of 2022, he tested positive for COVID-19 twice, experiencing a primary case and a rebound case of the virus. Additionally, his performance at the recent NATO summit in Madrid raised further questions about his stamina and cognitive abilities, with reports of him appearing disoriented and struggling to keep up with the fast-paced diplomatic engagements.
Despite the mounting pressure, Biden has remained defiant, telling one interviewer that only the “Lord Almighty” could persuade him to drop out of the race. However, his insistence on continuing his campaign despite these concerns has only served to deepen the unease within his own party.
The Democratic National Convention, scheduled for August 19-22 in Chicago, is typically where the party’s presidential nominee would be confirmed. However, with the growing calls for Biden to step aside, the party may be forced to consider alternative options, potentially leading to a contentious and divisive nomination process.
As the 2024 election cycle unfolds, the Biden administration will need to navigate these turbulent waters with transparency and decisive leadership. The president’s health and cognitive abilities will undoubtedly remain a central focus of the campaign, and his ability to withstand the rigors of a grueling presidential race will be closely scrutinized.
Ultimately, the decision to continue or withdraw from the race rests with Biden himself. However, the growing chorus of dissent from within his own party, coupled with his recent health challenges, may make it increasingly difficult for him to maintain a viable path to the White House. The coming weeks and months will be crucial in determining the future of the Biden presidency and the direction of the Democratic Party.
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