A Political Trainwreck in Real Time
President Biden’s latest debate performance was so cringeworthy that even his teleprompter tried to resign. With Democrats shaking their heads and Republicans laughing their socks off, Biden’s prospects for the 2024 race look shakier than a Jenga tower in an earthquake. Here are four sidesplitting factors that could end his run faster than you can say “malarkey.”
1. Polls: The Popularity Pothole
Polls are showing that Biden’s popularity is sinking faster than the Titanic. Before the debate, he was leading Trump by a smidge. After his verbal faceplant, Biden’s approval ratings slipped to 43%, with Trump inching ahead at 45%. In a multi-candidate race, Trump leads by a mile, while Biden trails behind like a confused turtle.
Team Biden insists that a two-point deficit is no biggie, reminiscing about his 2020 comeback. But state-level polls paint a gloomier picture, with Trump leading in enough swing states to bag more than 270 electoral votes. If Biden’s numbers continue to nosedive, even the most optimistic Democrats might start considering an early retirement plan for their candidate.
2. Donors: The Cash Crunch Comedy
Campaigns need cash, and right now, Biden’s money train is running on fumes. Trump has out-raised Biden by over $65 million in the second quarter of 2024, and major Democratic donors are now jumping ship. Some are even raising $100 million for a replacement candidate through the Next Generation PAC.
Publicly, Biden is putting on a brave face, telling millionaires to take a hike. But privately, he’s schmoozing top Democratic donors like his job depends on it—because it does. If the donor desertion continues, Biden’s campaign might soon be as broke as his last debate performance.
3. Elected Democrats: The Revolt of the Reps
Democrats are starting to grumble louder than a bear with a sore tooth. More and more elected officials are openly suggesting that Biden should hang up his campaign hat. Six U.S. representatives and a gaggle of other bigwigs have already voiced this opinion, and behind closed doors, the discontent is spreading like wildfire.
Senators are being a bit more diplomatic, but the cracks are showing. Senator Jon Tester of Montana isn’t pulling punches: “Biden’s got to prove he’s up to the job for another four years.” The longer these influential figures stay skeptical, the more pressure mounts on Biden to prove he can still string a coherent sentence together.
4. Public Appearances: The Gaffe Parade
Feeling the heat, Biden’s team is cranking up the visibility dial. They’ve scheduled more campaign stops, TV interviews, and even a solo press conference—a rare event these days. With the Democratic National Convention in Chicago just weeks away, the clock is ticking louder than a cartoon bomb.
Biden is banking on these appearances to showcase his stamina and wit. But if his performances continue to be more “oops” than “wow,” the combined force of lousy polls, fleeing donors, and grumpy politicians might just push him out of the race.
