Biden Regrets Stepping Aside, Believes He Could Have Defeated Trump Again: Report
President Joe Biden is reportedly still grappling with his decision to exit the 2024 presidential race last summer after facing growing pressure from Democrats to make way for another candidate, according to a recent report.
The Washington Post, citing sources familiar with the matter, disclosed that Biden has privately shared with close confidants that he remains confident he could have beaten Donald Trump in the November election. This belief persists despite a lackluster debate performance in June and his declining approval ratings, which ultimately influenced his decision to step aside.
Following the June 27 debate, internal Democratic calls for Biden to withdraw intensified, accompanied by a surge in demand for a new candidate to lead the ticket. Additionally, Biden experienced a significant loss in financial support as donors began doubting his ability to defeat Trump.
Biden officially dropped out on July 21, subsequently endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris, who had just over three months to campaign before the election.
Trump ultimately emerged victorious, defeating Harris by a margin of 2.2 million votes.
Per the Post, Biden has refrained from placing direct blame on Harris for the loss. In discussions with aides, he has maintained his belief that he would have won the election had he stayed in the race.
Even as he withdrew, Biden held firm to the notion that he could have triumphed over Trump – the same opponent he defeated in 2020 to secure his first term, as noted by The New York Times in September.
Not everyone shares Biden’s optimism, however. Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., expressed a differing perspective.
During an earlier conversation with Biden, Clyburn reportedly told him, “Your style does not lend itself well to the environment we’re currently in,” highlighting a clash between style and substance.
Meanwhile, Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security advisor, offered insight into the president’s broader priorities. Speaking to the Post, Sullivan remarked: “How to govern at this moment to set the U.S. up for long-term success has one answer, and how to govern to deal with midterm and presidential elections in the very short-term might have a different answer. The president went with doing the things that really put America in a strong position.”
Reflecting on missteps, including his performance in the debates, Biden has also reportedly expressed regret over selecting Merrick Garland as attorney general. According to the Post, Biden chose Garland as a compromise candidate based on advice from his aides, but has since expressed frustration over Garland’s perceived delays in prosecuting Trump and his aggressive pursuit of Biden’s son, Hunter.
Some Democrats have placed the blame for Harris’ loss on party leadership, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, in an interview with Politico, directed criticism at Pelosi’s role.
“People like [Nancy] Pelosi, she really tried to — what’s the word I’m looking for? — she embraced this ‘she’s the godmother, she’s the enforcer.’ And now she’s blaming Biden,” Fetterman said.
“Well, you can’t have it both ways. You got what you wanted,” he added, referring to Harris’ nomination following Biden’s exit, “and now you’re still blaming Biden.”
Pelosi reportedly criticized Biden’s endorsement of Harris, suggesting it contributed to the loss.
“I think it’s really ironic that you have a woman at age 84, and she is still hanging on. Why not give a younger generation an opportunity to occupy that seat?” Fetterman commented further.
He also addressed remarks by Harris and other Democrats labeling Trump supporters as “fascists.”
“I love people that are absolutely going to vote for Trump. They’re not fascists. They’re not those things. I think if you go to the tickle switch, use those kinds of terms, then it’s kind of hard to walk back on those things,” he said.
“That’s kind of a word that really isn’t part of the vernacular for voters. Scolding harder or clutching the pearls harder, that’s never going to work for Democrats,” Fetterman concluded.