In a significant turn of events, actor George Clooney, known for his strong support for the Democratic Party, has called on President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 US presidential race. Writing in an op-ed for the New York Times, Clooney argued that the 81-year-old Biden is no longer the same leader who won the 2020 election. Clooney, who had recently co-hosted a fundraiser for Biden, expressed his concerns about Biden’s current capability to lead.
Clooney pointed to Biden’s performance in a recent presidential debate against Republican nominee Donald Trump as a key reason for his stance. He remarked that Biden’s lackluster showing in the debate was a stark contrast to his dynamic persona from earlier years.
Clooney highlighted the difference between Biden’s current state and his previous self, specifically comparing it to his more vigorous image from 2010 and even 2020.
The June 27 debate performance raised alarm bells for many, according to Clooney, due to Biden’s visible struggles with delivering coherent answers and maintaining composure.
Joe Biden
This episode has intensified worries regarding Biden’s age and health, leading to further doubts about his ability to handle the rigors of another presidential term. Biden, however, dismissed the debate performance issues as a minor setback, attributing it to tiredness or possibly a cold.
Despite his deep admiration for Biden, Clooney emphasized the political risks of continuing to back him as the Democratic nominee. He warned that with Biden on the ticket, the party could face significant losses in both the presidential race and congressional control. Clooney claimed that his opinion is shared privately by many Democratic leaders, including senators, congress members, and governors.
Clooney acknowledged Biden’s long and successful political career but insisted that the fight against aging is one battle Biden cannot win. He urged the Democratic Party to select a new nominee at the upcoming August convention, though he recognized that this process could be fraught with challenges.
Clooney believes that a change in leadership might reinvigorate the party and appeal to voters. Despite these calls, Biden has shown no intention of ending his re-election bid and has challenged his critics to confront him at the national convention.
