NBC News reported Saturday: “There is an understanding among top Democrats that Biden should be given space to determine next steps.” That seemed like a very deliberate hint that Democrats want Biden to make the decision to drop out on his own terms, in a manner that would preserve some of his dignity. Instead the Bidens have dug in their heels.
There are reports that Democratic governors want a meeting with Biden, and have been speaking amongst themselves that he has to go. So far the White House has not scheduled a meeting. Michigan Governor Wretched Whitmer (as I call her) was reported to have told Biden’s people that Michigan is in doubt if Biden stays on the ticket (she has since backtracked—for now). Several Democratic senators are now more publicly expressing doubts that Biden can continue. There are separate reports that a gaggle of congressional Democrats have pondered an open letter calling for Biden to drop out, but this effort has fizzled because no one wants to be the first mover in such an effort.
Well, maybe Texas Democrat Lloyd Doggett does. This, released short time earlier today (click to embiggen)
Pay close attention also to the sudden equivocation and ambiguity of James Clyburn, a key figure in Democratic presidential politics:
Finally, latest CNN poll shows that Harris actually runs stronger than Biden against Trump.
Harris’s supposed two-point advantage over Biden vs. Trump is negligible, and within the margin of error. And if I was Biden’s people I’d almost suspect this poll was rigged. I’m guessing the relations between Biden’s staff and Harris’s staff right now are so frosty that it could end global warming.
Looks like Biden is going to go, and that Harris is inevitable.
Chaser—The Predictit futures market is showing Biden tanking in the last couple hours:
P.S. The most fun part of this whole schadenfreudey scene is watching the mainstream media trying to cover their tracks:
UPDATE—New polling data from OpenLab (sponsored/reported by Puck News—I have no idea about the quality of this survey) looks terrible for Biden:
One more item: It was announced earlier today that Biden will do a sit-down interview with George Stephanopoulos of ABC News. The interview will not be live, but will be edited and rolled out in installments. No word on whether the White House has demanded editing control of any kind.
Stephanopoulos is a Democratic Party hack with a byline, but I doubt he will go totally soft on Biden given how the media has turned on Biden. I also think it is possible this interview doesn’t happen (Biden’s “cold” will return), but was agreed to by the White House as a means of stalling for time for another 48 hours.
