David Axelrod, former senior advisor to President Barack Obama, has expressed deep concerns over President Joe Biden’s re-election prospects. In an interview with CNN’s Pamela Brown, Axelrod painted a bleak picture of Biden’s chances against former President Donald Trump in the upcoming November election.
“He’s not winning this race,” Axelrod stated bluntly. “If you just look at the data and talk to political people around the country, it’s more likely that he’ll lose by a landslide than win narrowly.”
Axelrod’s comments come at a tumultuous time for Biden, who has recently faced increasing scrutiny and calls to step down from his candidacy. The tipping point appears to have been a disastrous debate performance on June 27, where Biden, at 81, struggled to keep pace with Trump. This has led to a significant erosion of confidence among Democratic voters and key political figures.
“The one person that no one can outrun is Father Time,” Axelrod told CNN. “There are certain immutable facts of life, and those were painfully obvious on that debate stage, and the president just hasn’t come to grips with it.”
Axelrod’s assertion reflects a growing concern among Democrats about Biden’s age and stamina to handle the rigors of another presidential term. In response to his debate performance, Biden downplayed the situation during an interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos. “It was a bad episode. No indication of any serious condition. I was exhausted. I didn’t listen to my instincts in terms of preparing,” Biden explained, attempting to mitigate the fallout from his poor showing.
Despite this, Axelrod remains unconvinced. He posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, criticizing Biden for being “dangerously out-of-touch with the concerns people have about his capacities moving forward.”
Axelrod’s critique is particularly significant given his role in Obama’s successful presidential campaigns in 2008 and 2012. His strategic insights were crucial in navigating the complex landscape of American politics, and his current assessment of Biden’s campaign cannot be easily dismissed. “If the stakes are as large as he says, and I believe they are, then he really needs to consider what the right thing to do here is,” Axelrod emphasized during his CNN appearance.
This is not Axelrod’s first public critique of Biden’s candidacy. In a November X post, Axelrod suggested that Biden should deeply consider whether continuing his campaign was in his best interest or the country’s. “If he continues to run, he will be the nominee of the Democratic Party. What he needs to decide is whether that is wise; whether it’s in HIS best interest or the country’s?” he wrote.
This post sparked significant debate within Democratic circles, highlighting the underlying tensions about Biden’s candidacy. In a subsequent interview with Politico, Axelrod clarified his stance, denying that he outright called for Biden to drop out. “It’s overreacting to say I told him to drop out,” Axelrod said. “I didn’t do that.”
His nuanced position suggests a strategic concern rather than a personal vendetta, aiming to provoke a critical assessment of Biden’s ability to lead effectively. Biden’s campaign has yet to officially respond to Axelrod’s latest comments. However, the silence from the president’s camp speaks volumes, as they navigate the political minefield of an election cycle fraught with internal and external challenges.
The broader political context also complicates Biden’s path to re-election. With Trump continuing to galvanize his base and the Republican Party, Biden’s faltering support raises the specter of a repeat of the 2016 election, where unexpected shifts in voter sentiment led to Trump’s victory. The Democratic Party is acutely aware of the need for a robust and vigorous campaign to counter Trump’s momentum. Biden’s advisors and supporters are likely engaged in intense discussions about the best course of action.
The potential implications of Axelrod’s comments could catalyze further debate about the viability of Biden’s candidacy and whether an alternative candidate should be considered.
