US Actor George Clooney calls on Joe Biden to quit US presidential race
George Clooney has made a strong call for Joe Biden to withdraw from the US presidential race, following senior Democrat Nancy Pelosi’s evasive responses about Biden’s candidacy.
The actor and prominent Democratic fundraiser stated that while Biden has won many battles in his career, “the one battle he cannot win is the fight against time.”
Another Hollywood star and fundraiser, Michael Douglas, expressed concerns to the BBC about Biden’s electoral prospects.
Despite these comments, the president has consistently asserted his intention to remain the Democratic party’s candidate and defeat Donald Trump, 78, in November.
These celebrity remarks came after former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi added to the growing unease within the party, indicating that time was “running short” for the 81-year-old Biden to decide on his candidacy following his faltering debate performance against Trump.
In the New York Times, Clooney wrote that it was “devastating to say it,” but the Joe Biden he met at a fundraising event three weeks ago was not the same Biden from 2010. “He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020,” the actor added.
“He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate,” Clooney said.
The fundraising event, co-hosted by Clooney in Los Angeles and also featuring Julia Roberts and Barbra Streisand, brought in a single-night record of roughly $30m (£23m) for the Biden campaign.
The Biden camp has hit back at the Hollywood star, with an unnamed source telling US media: “The President stayed for over 3 hours [at the fundraiser], while Clooney took a photo quickly and left.”
The president’s campaign also pointed out that when he attended the fundraiser he had just arrived in Los Angeles from Italy, where he had been at the G7 summit.
In his op-ed, Clooney wrote: “Our party leaders need to stop telling us that 51 million people didn’t see what we just saw.”
“This is about age. Nothing more,” he continued. “We are not going to win in November with this president.”
Clooney noted that his concerns echoed those of “every” member of Congress he had spoken with.
Michael Douglas also expressed apprehensions about Mr. Biden’s abilities for a potential second term, stating, “I am worried not this week or next week, but let’s say next year.”
Douglas, who had organized a fundraiser for Mr. Biden in April and praised his performance, emphasized the importance of being articulate in today’s confrontational political climate, citing the debate with Trump.
In response to Clooney’s remarks, Mr. Biden’s campaign referred to a letter where the president affirmed his steadfast commitment to his candidacy and defeating Trump.
Nevertheless, dissent within Mr. Biden’s party continues to mount as he faces scrutiny while hosting the NATO summit in Washington. Nancy Pelosi, a key figure among Capitol Hill Democrats, appeared to disregard Mr. Biden’s determination to press forward during a recent appearance.
When asked if he should stay in the election race, she told MSNBC’s Morning Joe: “I want him to do whatever he decides to do.
“It’s up to the president to decide if he’s going to run. We are all encouraging him to make that decision, because time is running short.”
Acknowledging the demands on the president during the Nato summit, Mrs Pelosi told MSNBC: “I said to everyone – let’s just hold off.
“Whatever you’re thinking, either tell somebody privately, but you don’t have to put that out on the table until we see how we go this week. But I am very proud of the president.”
Approximately twelve elected Democrats have suggested that Joe Biden should consider ending his campaign since his debate with Trump on June 27.
On Tuesday night, Michael Bennet of Colorado became the first Democratic senator to publicly express doubt. While not explicitly calling for Biden to withdraw, Bennet predicted a potential landslide victory for Trump.
By Wednesday afternoon, Peter Welch of Vermont became the first Senate Democrat to openly urge Biden to withdraw “for the good of the country,” as he wrote in a Washington Post op-ed. This sentiment was echoed by Pat Ryan from New York and Earl Blumenauer from Oregon, making them the eighth and ninth congressional Democrats to voice similar calls.
Despite these calls, the Biden campaign reiterated the president’s commitment to continue running until the end of the race.
Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries plans to discuss concerns raised by several congressional members with Biden by Friday.
Overall, Biden continues to receive strong support from elected Democrats. California Governor Gavin Newsom, mentioned as a potential replacement by Clooney, affirmed his unwavering support for Biden.
The Congressional Black Caucus and progressive House members like Alexandria Ocasio Cortez have also publicly endorsed Biden. Chuck Schumer, the Senate’s leading Democrat, declared his support, although Axios reported that Schumer has privately indicated openness to alternatives to Biden.
According to CBS News, there has been a growing consensus among elected Democrats, donors, and supportive groups regarding Biden’s candidacy over the last 24 hours.
Questions about Biden’s campaign were also raised during the NATO summit in Washington DC. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed confidence in continued US commitment to the alliance, regardless of whether Biden or Trump is in the White House next year. When asked by the BBC about NATO’s collective optimism amid concerns over Biden’s candidacy, Stoltenberg affirmed his belief in the alliance’s unity.
“I’m not saying we can always disregard concerns,” said Mr Stoltenberg. “But the more dangerous the world is, the more obvious it is we need Nato.”
He added: “It is in the interest of all of us to stand together. That also applies for the United States.”
Mr. Biden is scheduled to hold a rare solo news conference on Thursday, and on Monday he will participate in an interview with NBC News, which will air later in the evening.
In Pennsylvania, a swing state, Democratic voters interviewed by the BBC expressed varied opinions about Mr. Biden.
Karren Gillchrist, from Harrisburg, affirmed her support for Mr. Biden, stating, “He knows exactly what he’s talking about.”
Meanwhile, in Elizabethtown, Melissa Nash, working on her laptop in a cafe, expressed conflicting feelings, saying, “I’m torn because I’m not a fan of Trump, but at the same time, you need somebody strong to lead the country.”