President Joe Biden recently made headlines with his response to questions about his potential exit from the 2024 race, stating that only divine intervention could make him reconsider. This statement sparked criticism from some Democrats, who viewed it as a sign of inflexibility on Biden's part, even in the face of detrimental polling.
Following the backlash, a Biden ally revealed that concerns about the president's remarks had been conveyed to him. The ally described feedback that questioned Biden's willingness to change course even in the presence of compelling polling data. It was emphasized to Biden that maintaining openness was crucial.
At a NATO summit news conference, Biden hinted at a slightly more flexible stance when asked about reconsidering his decision based on data suggesting Vice President Kamala Harris would fare better against Donald Trump. While Biden initially responded with a firm 'No,' he added a caveat that he would reconsider if presented with evidence of an unwinnable scenario.
The source indicated that Biden had taken note of the criticism surrounding his earlier comments and was adjusting his approach to demonstrate a willingness to listen. The source emphasized that Biden was not arrogant and had been genuinely surprised by the backlash.
According to the source, the only scenario that could potentially sway Biden's decision would involve Democratic governors and senators presenting strong polling data indicating a significant loss of support and a sharp decline in fundraising. Despite some polls showing a shift towards Trump post-debate, the Biden campaign has been focused on polls indicating a close race within the margin of error.
