Major Democratic donors wondering what to do about Biden: NYT
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Political consultants are discussing obscure laws under which Biden might be taken off the ballot and replaced at or before the Democratic National Convention.
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US President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden walk off stage after speaking at a campaign rally on June 28, 2024, in North Carolina. (AP)
The Democratic Party's perpetually jittery donor class sank into profound uneasiness on Friday, as some of America's wealthiest individuals agreed over President Biden's poor debate performance and pondered what, if anything, they might do to influence the trajectory of the election, The New York Times reported.
Thursday's presidential debate drew global attention and criticism, particularly aimed at Joe Biden's lackluster performance, an analysis by Politico details, with experts arguing that the implications are serious on the world stage.
According to a source familiar with the endeavor, political consultants discussed obscure laws under which Biden might be taken off the ballot and replaced at or before the Democratic National Convention.
Megadonors, including Ron Conway and Laurene Powell Jobs, were phoning, texting, and emailing each other about what they regarded as a potential disaster.
According to a source familiar with the talks, the donors were wondering who they might contact in the Biden family to reach Jill Biden, the First Lady, who could potentially persuade Biden not to run.
One Silicon Valley donor who intended to throw an exclusive fundraiser starring Biden in the summer opted to cancel the event due to the debate.
Another prominent California contributor left a debate viewing party early and sent an email to a buddy with the subject line "Utter disaster".
The Presidential debate was full of traded insults between #Biden and #Trump that reached the level of body shaming and fierce competition in who got the best golf skills.#PresidentialDebate2024 pic.twitter.com/VGcznAwQjS
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 28, 2024
In group conversations and whispered discussions, some affluent Democrats proposed interventions, while some hoped Biden would choose not to continue in the race on his own.
Others planned to direct funds to down-ballot contenders. The most hopeful contributors wanted to wait for polls to see the extent of the repercussions.
The crisis in the donor class could not have happened at a worse time for Biden who was outraised by Trump in the last months, eliminating the president's previously significant financial edge and creating one of his own.
60% of voters want Biden out after lackluster debate performance: Poll
60% of US voters believe President Biden should "definitely" or "probably" be replaced as the Democratic candidate after his abysmal performance in a debate with contender Donald Trump, a Morning Consult survey revealed on Friday.
The poll's findings, which included 2,068 respondents, come as rumors and calls circulate regarding the replacement of Biden as the Democratic candidate.
Biden's performance has left some Democrats questioning his viability as the party's nominee, CNN reported, citing Democratic sources.
One source mentioned that it is hard to see how Biden can become the party's nominee, while another characterized him as "incoherent", according to the report on Thursday.
21% of Democratic voters believe Biden should "definitely not" be replaced, while 20% say "probably not."
When asked to choose between Biden and Trump, 45% chose Biden and 44% chose Trump.
The presidential debate between #Biden and #Trump was enjoyable, to say the least, but considering that they represent the #UnitedStates, a fact-check was really necessary.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 28, 2024
Here is a recap of some of the false statements and disinformation throughout the debate that were… pic.twitter.com/5YfLIpdIN3
