Biden appears to be in a bunker mentality

A failed debate against rival Donald Trump, several calls for resignation, and then a covid diagnosis – right in the midst of the intense campaign period. The setbacks for USA's President Joe Biden are growing. But still, he has not given any signs of wanting to give up his presidential candidacy.

» Published: July 18 2024

Biden appears to be in a bunker mentality
Photo: Susan Walsh/AP/TT

A failed debate against rival Donald Trump, several calls for resignation, and then a COVID diagnosis – right in the middle of the intense campaign period.

The setbacks for USA's President Joe Biden are growing. But he has not yet given any signs of wanting to give up his presidential candidacy.

Congressman and top Democrat Adam Schiff is the latest in a constantly growing list of party colleagues who are urging Joe Biden to step aside. Despite this, the President appears to be standing firm in his decision.

I'll continue and we'll win, said Biden during a campaign meeting on Saturday.

The same evening, his opponent Donald Trump was injured in a shooting at a campaign meeting outside Pittsburgh. Many analysts believe that the assassination attempt could have decided the autumn's presidential election in Trump's favor.

"Bunker mentality"

According to USA expert Andreas Utterström, Biden's ego and stubbornness play a role in his decision to stay in the fight.

He seems to be in a bunker mentality where he doesn't seem to trust opinion polls, he says to TT.

Utterström believes that the best way Democrats could replace their presidential candidate is to appeal to Biden's ego.

They could blame him with the question "do you want this to be your legacy?". All he will be remembered for, after 40 years in Washington, is that he didn't step down in time, he says.

The first sentence of his obituary will be that he lost to Trump.

Decides himself

Biden has been reported to be more "willing to listen" to arguments for why he should step down, writes The New York Times and refers to a source close to Biden. But he does not show any signs of being close to changing course.

In the end, the decision of whether he should stay in the presidential campaign or not is up to him, Utterström believes. No one can force him to step down.

But it's clear that if influential Democrats were to come together and write a debate article in The New York Times, it would be difficult for him to stay.

If the President ultimately decides to listen to the voices urging him to step down, Utterström believes that the next Democratic presidential candidate is a given:

(Vice President) Kamala Harris. Partly because she's next in line, partly because the money they've collected for the campaign is tied to Biden and Harris. She's also a non-white woman who has been loyal for four years and you can't just ignore that, he says.

It wouldn't look good to choose someone else when Democrats say they're the party of women.

Tags

TTT
By TT - Translated and adapted by Sweden Herald under license from TT

More news

Genre image
1 MIN READ

USA Considers Recognizing Crimea as Russian in Peace Deal Talks

Senator Van Hollen Criticizes El
2 MIN READ

Senator Van Hollen Criticizes El Salvador's "Margarita-gate" Stunt

Hezbollah Leader Qassem: Group Will
2 MIN READ

Hezbollah Leader Qassem: Group Will Not Disarm Despite Pressures

USA to Relocate 1,000 Troops
1 MIN READ

USA to Relocate 1,000 Troops from Syria in Coming Months

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Congo River Boat Fire Leaves 148 Dead, Over 100 Still Missing

Trump Proposes New Rules for
2 MIN READ

Trump Proposes New Rules for Federal Employees to Enforce His Policies

Kyoto Bus Driver Loses Pension
1 MIN READ

Kyoto Bus Driver Loses Pension After Ticket Theft Ruling

Asean Calls on Myanmar Junta
1 MIN READ

Asean Calls on Myanmar Junta to Honor Ceasefire After Earthquake

Judge Blocks Trump's Plan to
1 MIN READ

Judge Blocks Trump's Plan to Cut CFPB Workforce

Australian Fighter for Ukraine Faces
1 MIN READ

Australian Fighter for Ukraine Faces Mercenary Charges in Luhansk

Venice Doubles Tourist Day-Trip Fee
2 MIN READ

Venice Doubles Tourist Day-Trip Fee for Non-Overnight Visitors

Trials Begin for Nearly 200
2 MIN READ

Trials Begin for Nearly 200 Critics of Turkish Regime Protests

Iran Nuclear Talks in Rome
2 MIN READ

Iran Nuclear Talks in Rome Face Doubts and Threats

Vance Expresses Cautious Optimism on
2 MIN READ

Vance Expresses Cautious Optimism on Ukraine Peace Talks in Europe

Ukraine Receives Remains of Over
1 MIN READ

Ukraine Receives Remains of Over 900 Fallen Soldiers

Veterans and Reservists Rally to
2 MIN READ

Veterans and Reservists Rally to End Gaza Conflict

EU Expansion: Hungary's Block Delays
3 MIN READ

EU Expansion: Hungary's Block Delays Ukraine and Moldova Membership

New Russian Attacks on Ukraine
2 MIN READ

New Russian Attacks on Ukraine Leave 11 Dead, Over 100 Injured

China Refutes Claims of Supplying
1 MIN READ

China Refutes Claims of Supplying Weapons to Russia

EU Officials Use Disposable Phones
1 MIN READ

EU Officials Use Disposable Phones for US Trips Over Spy Concerns

Israel's Blockade Leaves Gaza Residents
3 MIN READ

Israel's Blockade Leaves Gaza Residents Facing Severe Hunger Crisis

Israeli Strikes on Gaza Leave
1 MIN READ

Israeli Strikes on Gaza Leave 15 Dead, Including Family in Khan Yunis

US Airstrikes in Yemen Kill
2 MIN READ

US Airstrikes in Yemen Kill 74, Injure 171, Houthi Movement Reports

Trump Plans UK Visit to
1 MIN READ

Trump Plans UK Visit to Meet King Charles This Autumn

Luigi Mangione Faces Federal Murder
1 MIN READ

Luigi Mangione Faces Federal Murder Charges in CEO's Death

Two Killed, Five Injured in
1 MIN READ

Two Killed, Five Injured in Florida State University Shooting

Red Cross Building in Gaza
1 MIN READ

Red Cross Building in Gaza Damaged by Explosion, ICRC Expresses Outrage

Ukraine Talks to Continue in
2 MIN READ

Ukraine Talks to Continue in London Next Week Following Paris Meeting

USA and Ukraine Set to
1 MIN READ

USA and Ukraine Set to Finalize Mineral Agreement Next Thursday

Myanmar Seeks Regional Aid After
1 MIN READ

Myanmar Seeks Regional Aid After Devastating Earthquake

Cable Car Accident in Italy
1 MIN READ

Cable Car Accident in Italy Claims Four Lives Near Naples

Trump Seeks to Narrow Species
1 MIN READ

Trump Seeks to Narrow Species Protection Law, Sparking Criticism

Zelensky Accuses China of Supplying
1 MIN READ

Zelensky Accuses China of Supplying Weapons to Russia

Aid Groups Warn of Imminent
1 MIN READ

Aid Groups Warn of Imminent Collapse in Gaza Due to Blockade

Russia Cautions Germany on Sending
1 MIN READ

Russia Cautions Germany on Sending Taurus Robots to Ukraine

Haiti's Security Crisis Worsens as
1 MIN READ

Haiti's Security Crisis Worsens as Violence Spreads, Warns HRW