Why is Biden so reluctant to step down?

[Newsenmum]

I Still can’t understand why he won’t step down. He should never have run again, he wasn’t popular. Why did he? Surely he must know he’s going to make Trump win?

Because he does not think it will be possible for the party to select another candidate in time for the elections.

In theory it could be done, if there was a clear front runner (eg a popular VP), but I really don't think that's the situation. There isn't time for a contest, and the uncertainty of possible legal challenge will leave the electon a farce.

Here's an article on the required procedural steps. Even the most rapid path, followed without hitch or challenge, doesn't leave much time for actual campaigning, and I'm sure Trump will capitalise on the gap when they don't even have a candidate

Will Biden Stay in the Race? How Democrats Will Choose a 2024 Nominee - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

(PS: what other countries do icw their monarchies and retirement is not a relevant precedent for UK. The Queen would never have abdicated, though she might have retired and installed Charles as a Prince Regent)

Definitely some sort of cognitive decline.

When my mother was fit and well she always asked me to tell her when she reached a stage when she was struggling to cope.

When she actually got to that stage, she wouldn’t listen, said exactly like Biden that only the Almighty would decide when she needed help, accused us all of interfering, paranoid that everyone was out to get her and that everyone was trying to undermine her and take away her freedom.

If Biden was in a good place mentally, he would see that he is struggling and far too old. I noticed as well as his shuffling, he’s doing that whole body turn rather than just his head that a lot of elderly people do when someone is addressing them and has recently gained a very blank, expressionless look. I’m not quite sure how the US constitution works if an incapable leader needs to be removed apart from impeachment.

I’m no more a fan of Trump either, but he at least seems to know where he is and what he’s there for.

Not at all similar

But she didn't have the power as Biden does and she was a professional to her final days able to articulate without mumbling, stumbling and calling people by the wrong names!

I was shocked when I saw Jill on stage with him and speaking to him like a child

She seems fully aware of what's going on and I am really hoping that in private she is encouraging him to step down. I have to hope that leaving all the politics aside someone is trying to do what is best for the welfare of an elderly man.

I have to hope that Biden himself has enough self awareness to realise that he just isn't up to the demands of the job anymore. It's not an easy job and he literally has the weight of the world on his increasingly frail shoulders

I think that's literally her job at the moment.
He is currently the candidate, and her role is to promote that candidacy

I’ve wondered if it’s part of his cognitive decline, that he is not able to properly assess the situation and make decisions. People in the early stages of dementia can get very stubborn and have an absolute refusal/ inability to recognize their declining function. Something similar may be going on here, ( even if not dementia)

Are you sure he actually knows who he is?
🙄

And Denmark.
They are 🦉 wise 😁
Also, some bloody time for themselves!

He’s not right at all, US polling very clearly says that he will likely lose to trump whereas various other candidates would have several % better voting and more chance of winning

He beat Trump before, he thinks he could do it again, has proven record etc

Trump talks gobbledegeek all the time but people are used to it. I think Biden should step down, but he's being held to a higher standard than Trump

Apparently also standing down might cause legal challenges, and postal voting starts in September so there's actually barely any time

I think fuckface winning is baked in now, it's disastrous

I wonder that too...I'm not sure about this but aren't US presidents required to have regular medical screenings as a reassurance to both the president and their cabinet...surely nobody can pretend now that he isn't increasingly unwell

Nothing remotely like that, no.

I agree. A lot of democrat voters will possibly just not vote. They may hate Trump but can’t possibly see Biden managing. I think literally anyone would be better. It makes the government look so weak.

i think it is expected this weekend he will
i thought he might blame covid
he has said he will step down on medical advice
but agree that he may not have much faith in his vice president

1. He's arrogant
2. He's surrounded by yes men that he trusts and is being told that he has everyone's support/can win/isn't too old or frail.

Someone needs to tell him he's handing the election to Trump on a plate.

Also let's be real who would rather have someone who is yes getting old and slowing down - who has a speech impediment - which is clearly impacting him more as he gets older. Or that crazy loon that is Trump - I know who I'm rooting for!

I had to laugh when my sister said "Rather Biden in a coma than Trump".....

But it's really not a laughing matter.

Shocking to read Project 2025. USA going down a fascist path.

Trump said he's going after anyone who ever crossed him. <

What a choice Americans are facing - a fascist orange geriatric monster or a senile one. The best thing going for Biden is that he isn't Trump.

@Willmafrockfit

this thread is about Biden, not the Queen. Give it a rest.

I know, it’s comparing apples with fish. So unrelated.

Maybe FLOTUS is telling him he's okay, because after all this time the thought of being no longer important does not suit her needs

Don't blame her. His choice his failure.

That is such a nasty viewpoint: that he is only doing this because his wife wants to be first lady. I heard a lovely description of her encouragement of him and it is that after so many decades together she fills in his blanks as in when he misses something she knows what he means to say. A condition of any long term partner.

It really is a horrible situation for America but I guess many feel like your sister. I know I do. And yes it’s not funny at all. But here we are.

Maybe he knows he now he should have been a one term president but thinks it’s too late for anyone else to win. Trouble is that he is pulling down the chances of other candidates. If Trump is President need as much opposition in Congress.

I think the Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. She was asked to resign when Obama was President so he oversaw the new appointment. She didn’t and then died when Trump was President.

Anyone who gets to the top in politics, or seriously tries to, is driven by ambition. They have to be, or they wouldn’t do it.

The few who do manage to get to the very top of the tree want to achieve big things, secure a tangible legacy and a place in the history books. The role model against which every Democrat president measures themself is always Frankin D Roosevelt, the architect of the post - war ‘New Deal’. For Republicans, it’s Ronald Reagan, who they credit with turning round the American economy & winning the Cold War.

Boden is no different. Having got to the top he wants to see his legacy. Having beaten Trump once, he believes that he is the only person can beat him again and by doing so save America from a demagogue who is a threat to democracy

He's been ill for ages. I am truly surprised that people are suddenly finding it problematic now, as his cognitive gaffs were memes when he was running the first time!

Being as he's been ill for so long and everyone has been busy obfuscating, butt kissing, downplaying and doing things for him and actively smoothing over his gaffes, it's no wonder his personal evaluation of his ability lags way behind reality.

Even so, we shouldn't forget that even the worst leaders always think they are doing good. He probably does really believe he'd be letting his party down, and feels a sense of responsibility to his party and the country. He also believes he is liked by voters, he truly is the strongest opponent for Trump, has legacy legislation/ideas he wants to push through (I mean Obama had ObamaCare, what's Biden's big thing?)

And yeah, doesn't want to be the President who lost to his rival and was obliged to be forced to step down due to mental incompetence, which is actually worse than losing and stepping down😬