According to reports, President Joe Biden's aides are terrified at the prospect of losing to former President Donald Trump in a possible rematch, as several polls indicate that the race is in a statistical tie.
CNN reported on Thursday that polls indicating no clear lead between the two candidates in a hypothetical rematch have left aides with "existential stress" as the media continues to question whether Biden should even run for reelection, as Fox News reported.
"The former president may seem like the easier Republican candidate to beat, as a known quantity who is toxic to many voters, but they’re terrified that if he is the nominee, any fumbles by the campaign or the president himself would enable the return of a candidate they see as a singular threat to American democracy," CNN's report read.
"I don't think Biden and Vice President Harris should run for re-election," Washington Post columnist David Ignatius recently wrote. "It's painful to say that, given my admiration for much of what they have accomplished.
"But if he and Harris campaign together in 2024, I think Biden risks undoing his greatest achievement — which was stopping Donald Trump," Ignatius continued.
Blame Pointed at Media and Others
CNN reports that Biden's advisers blame the media for validating concerns about his age and son Hunter Biden's alleged corruption.
According to the news source, prominent Democratic donors have yet to contribute to the Biden campaign.
"But to the exasperation of several top Biden aides who spoke to CNN, some of the most notable names and biggest checkbooks remain missing," the outlet reported.
On Wednesday, after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) announced an official impeachment inquiry into the president, the White House addressed a letter to media organizations.
White House spokesperson Ian Sams urged the media to increase their "scrutiny" of House Republicans following the announcement.
McCarthy declared that House Republicans have "uncovered serious and credible allegations into President Biden's conduct" that would form the basis of an impeachment investigation.
Voters' Opinions
Many voters, however, according to recent polls, think the president is getting too old to run again.
According to a study conducted by the Associated Press-NORC in late August, 77% of Americans believe Biden is too elderly to serve a second term in office.
Predictably, 89% of Republicans feel this way, but surprisingly, 69% of Democrats also believe Biden is no longer qualified for the position. Should he win in 2024, Biden would be 86 years old at the end of his second term.
