A major US newspaper says former President Barack Obama has told allies in recent days that President Joe Biden’s path to winning reelection has greatly diminished.
The Washington Post broke the news on Thursday, quoting multiple sources. It says Obama has also told associates that Biden needs to seriously consider the viability of his candidacy.
Obama, who worked with Biden for eight years as president and vice president respectively, has retained influence in the Democratic Party.
He backed Biden following the president’s faltering performance in a televised debate against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump late last month, but has publicly remained silent since then.
CNN says former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told Biden that polling shows he cannot defeat Trump.
ABC News reports that Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer made a case to Biden that it would be best if he dropped out of the race. It adds that House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed similar views directly to the president.
Biden has been self-isolating at his home in the eastern state of Delaware since he tested positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday.
A physician treating Biden released a statement on Thursday, saying the president is still experiencing mild upper respiratory symptoms and remains on medication.
An official of the Biden camp told reporters on Thursday that the president will continue his reelection bid.