FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 15, 2024

President Biden, 81, resists calls to let a younger Democrat run against Donald Trump

Tropical Storm Beryl, which blew into Texas and other states after losing hurricane strength, wasn't the only storm Americans kept an eye on last week. Many also followed news of how President Biden endures strong political winds swirling around his candidacy. A feeble performance June 27 in his first of two debates with Donald Trump adds to concern about the 81-year-old's health, vigor and ability to serve another four years if re-elected. Eighteen congressional Democrats publicly urge him to drop his re-election campaign so Vice President Kamala Harris or perhaps another candidate can run. Other party figures and some major donors also reportedly want a change, though House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of Brooklyn, N.Y., said last week: "I support President Joe Biden and the Democratic ticket."

Trump, who won the White House in 2016 and lost to Biden in 2020, is 78 and just survived a close-call assassination attempt Saturday at an outside rally in Pennsylvania. He'll be formally nominated again this week at the Republican National Convention, under way in Milwaukee through Thursday.

For his part, Biden remains committed to seeking re-election, saying at a news conference last Thursday: "I'm the best qualified person to do the job. . . . I've got to finish this job." Campaigning in Michigan the next day, the president stated: "I am running and we're gonna win. I'm not going to change that."

The Democrat and his allies cite accomplishments during three and a half years as president. "It is an impressive record," a New York Times editorial said last week. "But the classic Wall Street warning applies to politicians, too: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The question confronting voters is not whether Mr. Biden has been an effective president, but whether he can beat Mr. Trump in November and govern effectively."

Ron Klain, a former presidential chief of staff in this administration, notes that among all Democratic prospects, "President Biden is the person who's beaten Trump.” At Semafor, a respected daily newsletter, Washington reporter Shelby Talcott writes that "Biden faces the political fight of his life." TV satirist Jon Stewart sums up the situation on Comedy Central: "Either way, it's going to be a bumpy four months" until the election.

Biden says: "It's time to come together, move forward as a unified party and defeat Donald Trump." – Letter to congressional Democrats, July 8

Broadcaster says: "This is a last chance for Democrats to decide whether this man we've known and loved for a very long time is up to the task of running for president." – Joe Scarborough, MSNBC morning host

New York Times says: :The moment is urgent. The longer Mr. Biden continues his grasp on the nomination, the harder it will be to replace him. . . . The stakes for America are too high to continue to move forward with Mr. Biden as the nominee." – July 9 editorial

Front Page Talking Points Archive

Common Core State Standard
SL.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: An essay of a current news event is provided for discussion to encourage participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the article. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event within the news, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.