The most impactful critique of Joe Biden’s re-election bid may have come not from a politician or a pundit, but from a film star.
George Clooney’s stinging New York Times opinion piece is a notable example.
However, Clooney isn’t alone. A growing number of Democrats are now voicing concerns, casting doubt on the president’s ability to stabilize his campaign.
This backlash comes at a critical time when Biden seemed to have gained some momentum, recently receiving support from the influential Congressional Black Caucus and key liberal Congress members.
Yet, the situation has rapidly changed, especially as a high-profile NATO summit with U.S. allies unfolds in Washington.
On Wednesday evening, Vermont Senator Peter Welch became the first Democratic senator to publicly urge Biden to withdraw “for the good of the country,” as he wrote in a newspaper op-ed.
The increasing calls for Biden’s withdrawal heighten the stakes for his press conference at the NATO summit’s conclusion on Thursday afternoon.
This event marks the president’s most significant unscripted test since a problematic debate two weeks ago that sparked this crisis.
Additionally, Biden is scheduled for an interview with NBC News presenter Lester Holt on Monday.
Any mistake in the coming days could reinforce the damaging assertions made by Clooney, a top Democratic fundraiser, in his New York Times article.
Clooney argues that the president’s decline is evident.
He mentions a recent fundraiser in Los Angeles, stating, “The Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fundraiser was not the Joe… of 2010,” he writes.
“He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020.
He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate.”
Clooney continues by expressing doubts about Biden’s capability to defeat Donald Trump in November.
He describes the Biden campaign’s claim of being the choice of Democratic primary voters as “disingenuous, at best.”
Perhaps most strikingly, Clooney reveals that every prominent Democrat he has spoken with shares these concerns, though they may not publicly admit it.
“We can put our heads in the sand and pray for a miracle in November,” he writes, “or we can speak the truth.”
The Biden campaign is pushing back against Clooney’s piece, noting that the president had traveled across nine time zones, from the G7 summit in Italy, to attend the fundraiser.
Campaign officials also highlight recent serious disagreements with Clooney and his wife, human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, regarding the administration’s Gaza policy.
The timing of Clooney’s opinion piece, published three weeks after the fundraiser, suggests a strategic move for maximum impact.
Clooney’s influence extends beyond Hollywood; he is a significant Democratic fundraiser with close ties to former President Barack Obama.
This connection suggests that his public criticism may have received tacit approval from other prominent Democrats.
Reveling in the Democratic turmoil, Trump commented on social media, “He’s turned on Crooked Joe like the rats they both are.”
Prominent Democrats continue to express concerns that should give Biden pause.
Senator Welch’s column in the Washington Post stated, “We have asked President Biden to do so much for so many for so long.
It has required unmatched selflessness and courage.
We need him to put us first, as he has done before.
I urge him to do it now.”
Earlier on Wednesday, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who still holds significant influence within the party, notably refrained from endorsing Biden’s re-election bid.
She suggested critics hold their opinions until after the NATO summit, emphasizing that Biden should decide quickly about his campaign.
When asked about Biden’s clear intention to stay in the race, she avoided a direct answer.
“I want him to do whatever he decides to do,” Pelosi said.
Later, Virginia Senator Tim Kaine echoed similar sentiments, suggesting the president “will do the patriotic thing for the country” and “make that decision.”
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal of Washington, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, bluntly stated, “I’m fully behind him as our nominee until he’s not our nominee.”
Even some of Biden’s staunchest supporters are considering “what if” scenarios.
California Governor Gavin Newsom still supports Biden but said he wouldn’t run against Vice-President Kamala Harris if Biden stepped aside.
Senate Democrats are set to meet Biden campaign officials on Thursday to discuss the campaign’s future, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries plans to speak to the president directly about Democratic concerns by Friday.
The outcome remains uncertain.
If Biden steps down, it’s unclear what will follow. Some suggest Ms. Harris is next in line, but Clooney argues that Democrats need to regroup and choose a new nominee, though he offers few details on how this process might unfold.
His notion that a shorter campaign season would avoid negative campaigning seems overly optimistic.
Despite the recent shift in sentiment, Biden’s fundamental position remains unchanged.
He still holds the majority of national convention delegates who decide the party’s presidential ticket.
These delegates, while not explicitly bound to him, could be replaced if they show insufficient loyalty.
Opinion polls show Biden trailing Trump, but no alternative Democrat candidate seems to perform significantly better.
Even Biden’s critics, appealing to his patriotism and concern for American democracy, implicitly acknowledge that the decision lies with him.
Wednesday’s events demonstrated that, if Biden continues his campaign, he may struggle to dispel concerns about his age. His debate performance might become a persistent issue.