Former Democratic senator Dennis DeConcini expressed concerns about President Biden’s age and suggested that the Democratic Party doesn’t have many options beyond Biden. DeConcini, who served with Biden in the Senate, remarked that both he and the president are “too old” for the role. He acknowledged that Biden may stumble at times but compared him favorably to former President Trump, describing Biden as a decent person.
DeConcini also noted that Democrats face a challenge because he believes Vice President Kamala Harris wouldn’t be electable if Biden didn’t run again. He emphasized that Democrats are somewhat stuck with Biden due to these factors.
NBC News reported on a division within the Democratic Party, with some Democratic elites viewing Biden as akin to Franklin D. Roosevelt, while many party voters see him as an older candidate. A Democratic voter from New Jersey expressed willingness to vote for Biden if there were no better alternatives but emphasized the desire for a younger candidate who understands the country’s needs.
Former Ohio state senator Nina Turner criticized the administration’s economic messaging and urged the party to address the real struggles people face, especially socially and economically.
The report also mentioned that Biden’s allies formed an advisory board after he announced his re-election campaign, which included potential primary challengers like Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom. However, Biden’s campaign was successful in deterring potential challengers by getting them involved early in the president’s re-election effort.
Biden’s allies, particularly, viewed Newsom as a potential threat but emphasized the significance of Vice President Harris’s historic role as the first woman and person of color to become vice president. They suggested it would be self-defeating for ambitious white male candidates to challenge Biden and Harris for the nomination.
In summary, the article highlights concerns about President Biden’s age, the divide within the Democratic Party regarding his candidacy, and efforts by his allies to prevent significant primary challenges.