Democrat President Joe Biden has reportedly told Barack Obama that he is planning to run for re-election in 2024 so he can “beat Trump.”
“I believe he thinks he’s the only one who can beat Trump,” a source familiar with the Obama-Biden talks told The Hill.
“I don’t think he thinks there’s anyone in the Democratic party who can beat Trump and that’s the biggest factor.”
“Biden wants to run and he’s clearly letting everyone know,” said one of the sources.
However, if history is a guide, Biden’s low approval numbers will mean he should expect Democrat primary challengers.
“He can recover,” said Basil Smikle, a Democratic strategist and director of Hunter College’s public policy program of Biden’s terrible poll numbers.
“A lot will depend on the outcome of the midterms.
“If Democrats don’t fare very well, he’ll be going into 2024 from a position of weakness, if you will.”
Despite the grim outlook, Biden believes he still has a chance to run again.
“I’m a great respecter of fate,” Biden said in December about his future plans.
“Fate has intervened in my life many, many times.
“If I’m in the health I am in now, if I’m in good health, then in fact I would run again.”
Asked if he would run if it meant going head-to-head with President Donald Trump again, Biden said:
“You’re trying to tempt me now.
“Sure. Why would I not run against Donald Trump if he were the nominee?
“That would increase the prospect of running,” he said.
From Politico:
Now, as Biden’s relationship with the left has come under strain, liberals are talking about treating him like former President Jimmy Carter instead — and mapping out a Democratic primary challenge in 2024.
“Will there be a progressive challenger? Yes,” said Jeff Weaver, Sen. Bernie Sanders’ former presidential campaign manager.
Weaver stresses that he is not advocating for such a primary campaign. But the chatter about a left-wing challenge to Biden, which was virtually nonexistent weeks ago, has suddenly burst into public view in the wake of Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) killing the president’s climate and social spending bill.
“He’s deeply unpopular. He’s old as sh*t. He’s largely been ineffective, unless we’re counting judges or whatever the hell inside-baseball scorecard we’re using. And I think he’ll probably get demolished in the midterms,” said Corbin Trent, co-founder of the progressive No Excuses PAC and former communications director for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).
“People will smell opportunity, and D.C. is filled with people who want to be president.”
No one now in office — and none of the top-tier presidential contenders from 2020 — is viewed as a serious prospect to take on Biden.
Nor is there any expectation that Sanders or Sen. Elizabeth Warren, both of whom have enjoyed a significant amount of influence in the Biden administration, would primary Biden.
Few seriously think Ocasio-Cortez would risk her political capital in a long-shot challenge to the president, either.
