Amidst growing calls for President Biden to step down from the presidential race, Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) has declined to join Biden during his campaign visit to Wisconsin. The decision comes after Biden’s widely criticized debate performance, fueling speculation about his future in the race. While Baldwin emphasizes her support for the president, her campaign maintains she is focused on her own re-election bid in Wisconsin.
President Biden’s lackluster debate performance has raised concerns among Democrats, but history suggests that incumbents can often rebound from a shaky start. Experts point to several examples of presidents who faced criticism after their first debates, but ultimately went on to win re-election. While some Democrats are calling for Biden to withdraw from the race, others are confident he can turn things around.
New York Republican Party Chair Ed Cox believes Donald Trump can win the state’s electoral votes in 2024, drawing parallels between Biden’s presidency and Jimmy Carter’s and emphasizing the state’s pragmatism and focus on the economy. He also highlights shifts in Hispanic and African-American voting blocs towards Trump, pointing to a recent Bronx rally as evidence.
Republican candidates are using President Biden’s widely criticized debate performance to target Democratic incumbents, highlighting their previous support for Biden’s mental acuity. The debate has intensified scrutiny on Democratic senators facing re-election, forcing them to navigate between supporting their party and appeasing voters concerned about Biden’s fitness for office.
President Biden insists that his widely criticized debate performance actually gained him voters, while major newspapers and some pundits urge him to withdraw from the race. Despite this external pressure, top Democrats remain publicly supportive of Biden’s bid, with DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison emphasizing strong support from the Black community.
President Biden’s re-election campaign has raised $27 million since his debate performance against former President Trump, a sum that comes amid concerns about his mental fitness. While the campaign highlights the fundraising success, some political analysts see it as a last resort to counter the negative narrative surrounding Biden’s performance.
Iran will hold a runoff election on July 5th between reformist candidate Massoud Pezeshkian and hardliner Saeed Jalili, after no candidate secured a majority in the initial vote. Pezeshkian, who emerged as the most popular candidate, has expressed support for the rights of minorities, women, and border areas. The low voter turnout of 39.9% highlights the challenges facing the Iranian regime.
Mauritania holds presidential elections on Saturday, with incumbent Mohamed Ould Ghazouani facing six challengers. Ghazouani, who has promised to accelerate economic growth fueled by the country’s vast natural resources, is widely expected to win a second term due to the ruling party’s dominance. Key issues for voters include corruption, youth unemployment, and managing Islamist threats. While Ghazouani’s opponents challenge his human rights record and focus on social issues, the incumbent is seen as likely to secure victory.
Former US President Barack Obama defended President Joe Biden after his widely criticized debate performance against Donald Trump, while also calling for unity. Despite the debate’s impact, Biden showed no indication of stepping down, and his campaign reported a surge in donations following the event.
Thousands of junior doctors in England are staging a five-day strike, their 11th in a dispute over pay and working conditions. The strike, coinciding with the UK’s general election, highlights the ongoing issues plaguing the National Health Service (NHS). Junior doctors demand a 35% pay raise, citing a 25% decrease in pay over the past 15 years. The government, facing pressure from the strike and the upcoming election, has offered pay raises but refuses to make further offers during the pre-election period. The strike has caused widespread disruption to hospital services and has raised concerns about the future of the NHS.
