In a dramatic turn of events that has shaken the American political landscape more than the kind of iced coffee George is known to promote, Clooney — one of the American president’s biggest supporters — has publicly called on Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.
The fact. The actor and well-known Democratic Party donor raised concerns about Biden’s ability to compete effectively against Donald Trump, stressing that “the battle he can’t win is the one against time.”
Let’s keep this key word in mind: time.
But back to the facts. Clooney made his views known in a New York Times op-ed, saying it was devastating to admit, but the man he met at a fundraiser three weeks ago was not the Joe Biden of 2010, or even 2020. His plea came hours after Nancy Pelosi, another Democratic Party figure, avoided directly answering questions about Biden’s candidacy, saying “time is running out” for the president to decide whether to continue his campaign.
Let’s keep in mind other keywords: fundraising three weeks ago.
But back to us. The statements of Clooney and another Democratic actor and donor, Michael Douglas, who expressed concern about Biden’s electoral chances, reflect growing discontent within the party. The Biden-Trump debate on June 27 intensified concerns about the president’s ability to effectively confront his Republican opponent.
But something doesn’t add up. Rewind three weeks ago and a lavish fundraising event in Hollywood, co-hosted by Clooney, Julia Roberts and Barbra Streisand, raised a record $30 million for Biden’s campaign. Excitement, prizes and party favors.
However, it seems that the issue is much more complex. Because if from the outside it seemed all roses and support for the president, the evening was marked by an atmosphere of unease, with Clooney who in a public stream of consciousness declared: “We will not win in November with this president”. The Biden campaign reacted quickly, pointing out that the president attended the event for over three hours despite the long trip just concluded from the G7 summit in Italy.
Nancy Pelosi, a powerful voice among Capitol Hill Democrats, said the decision was Biden’s to make but urged the president to make a swift decision. The former House speaker suggested that party members might want to voice their concerns privately, rather than publicly, until the week’s course is clear.
Discontent within the Democratic Party has also manifested itself through the statements of several members of Congress, including Colorado Senator Michael Bennet and Vermont Senator Peter Welch, who have openly called on Biden to withdraw “for the good of the country.” Biden’s campaign has reiterated that the president is determined to pursue his candidacy until the end.
Despite mounting criticism, Biden’s support remains strong among many prominent Democrats, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Congressional Black Caucus. However, recent statements by George Clooney and Michael Douglas indicate growing concern among Hollywood financiers that Biden is an increasingly vulnerable candidate.
The political situation was further complicated during the recent NATO summit in Washington, where Biden dodged questions from reporters, further fueling speculation about his ability to lead the country in such a tumultuous period.
So let’s get back to the key words above. If the time of the incumbent president is running out, slipping away from him like sand, why postpone the inevitable? And why not say so now and wait three weeks and a – disastrous – confrontation with Donald Trump?
Support an increasingly fragile incumbent president today, or seek a new leader capable of challenging Trump with greater vigor? Biden’s response to these pressures will determine not only the future of his campaign, but also the fate of the Democratic Party in the next presidential election.
