President Joe Biden is preparing to shift focus from campaigning for reelection to hosting a NATO summit in Washington this week. With mounting concerns within his own party about his political position, European leaders will join Biden to celebrate the alliance’s 75th anniversary and engage in official events and a news conference.
As Congress reconvenes, Democratic lawmakers are expected to raise worries about Biden’s ability to continue in the presidential race and potential challenges for another term in the White House. Calls for Biden, who is 81 years old, to step aside have been voiced by five Democratic lawmakers, with some committee leaders also suggesting his withdrawal. Despite speculation that Vice President Kamala Harris could replace him on the ticket, Biden remains steadfast about his commitment to running for reelection.
The NATO summit will present Biden with an opportunity to display presidential leadership, particularly as discussions around safeguarding the alliance against a possible return of Trump to the White House intensify amid concerns about Biden’s future. The upcoming news conference during the summit will be scrutinized for any signs of weakness or mental acuity issues following previous debates.
It remains to be seen if additional Democratic lawmakers will publicly call for Biden to withdraw from the race this week, potentially increasing pressure on the president. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries is set to convene vulnerable Democrats, while Senate Democrats plan to discuss Biden’s future during a caucus luncheon. The House Oversight and Accountability Committee intends to question Biden’s White House physician regarding the president’s medical assessments.
Despite challenges within his party, Biden is determined to press forward, drawing on his history of political resilience. Having overcome setbacks in previous election cycles, Biden is gearing up for the upcoming battles, even as doubts linger among some Democrats. As the 2022 midterm elections approach, and with only four months until Election Day, Biden faces the task of maintaining momentum and avoiding significant errors to secure his reelection bid.
