Biden's Close Allies See No Path to Victory

Welcome to the digital edition of "Insights from the Political Arena," a comprehensive newsletter delivering the most recent investigative findings and assessments from the NBC News Politics unit, focusing on the presidential campaign, the White House, and Capitol Hill. In today's issue, we delve into the evolving perspectives of President Joe Biden's key supporters, who are now questioning his probability of success. Additionally, our political analyst, Allan Smith, delineates the rationale behind Biden's inclination towards leveraging the political landscape in France to vindicate his decision to persist in the 2024 electoral race. Sign up to get this newsletter in your mailbox every weekday here.

Diminishing Confidence Among Biden's Inner Circle

Progressively, a number of President Joe Biden's most trusted associates, including three individuals directly engaged in his re-election endeavors, have disclosed to NBC News their conviction that his chances of securing a victory have dwindled to zero, while the likelihood of him eclipsing other Democratic contenders is diminishing. One official from Biden's campaign asserted, "He needs to withdraw. There's no way for him to bounce back from this." Biden has grappled with a turbulent phase in his campaign subsequent to a debate fiasco in late June, and his persistent damage control measures, such as high-level discussions with Democratic senators and a presidential press briefing, have failed to assuage the concerns of lawmakers and party representatives. On the contrary, sentiments advocating for his withdrawal and ceding the Democratic nomination to another figure, notably Vice President Kamala Harris, have permeated within his campaign and the associated Democratic entities. A prevailing view among those involved in his campaign is that he lacks a viable path to victory. Furthermore, the escalating pressure from Democratic quarters urging Biden to exit the race has been conspicuous, with several House and Senate Democrats publicly advocating for his withdrawal. The perception of Biden's electability, once a cornerstone of his candidacy, is now metamorphosing into a liability, as apprehensions mount within the Democratic faction regarding the prospect of his re-election and its potential ramifications on the party as a whole. 

The palpable unease stemming from Biden's cognitive acuity, the shortfall in fundraising, and a series of polls reflecting a decline in his support, has rendered the current scenario unsustainable. The persistent exodus of support from influential Democratic figures underscores the formidable headwinds confronting Biden's presidential bid.