Former Obama advisor David Axelrod expressed dismay at actor George Clooney's scathing op-ed calling for President Biden to withdraw from the 2024 race, labeling it "devastating."
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Former Obama advisor David Axelrod expressed dismay on Wednesday over actor George Clooney's harsh assessment of President Biden's chances of winning re-election in 2024, calling it "devastating."
David Axelrod Laments George Clooney's "Devastating" Assessment of Biden
Appearing on CNN, Axelrod said that Clooney's op-ed, published in the New York Times in July, was particularly damaging because it came from a long-time supporter and friend of the president.
"It's devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fund-raiser was not the Joe 'big F-ing deal' Biden of 2010," Clooney wrote in the op-ed. "He wasn't even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate."
David Axelrod Laments George Clooney's "Devastating" Assessment of Biden
Clooney's comments came after Biden's widely criticized performance in the first presidential debate, which led to calls from some Democrats for him to step aside.
Axelrod acknowledged that Biden's age and declining cognitive abilities were a legitimate concern, but he questioned the timing of Clooney's public rebuke.
David Axelrod Laments George Clooney's "Devastating" Assessment of Biden
"I understand where George is coming from, but I think it's unfortunate that he's choosing to make this argument now, when the president is facing so many challenges," Axelrod said. "I think it would have been more helpful to have these conversations in private."
Axelrod's comments reflect the growing unease among some Democrats about Biden's fitness for office and his ability to defeat Donald Trump in a rematch in 2024.
A recent poll by Quinnipiac University found that only 33% of Democrats approve of the job Biden is doing as president, while 64% disapprove. The poll also found that 61% of Democrats believe Biden should not run for re-election in 2024.
Despite the growing concerns within his own party, Biden has so far resisted calls to withdraw from the race, vowing to "run again in 2024" and "finish the job" he started.
However, the president's recent stumbles and gaffes have raised questions about his ability to withstand the rigors of a long and grueling campaign.
In a recent interview with ABC News, Biden appeared confused and disoriented, struggling to answer basic questions and making several factual errors.
The interview raised further concerns about Biden's mental acuity and his ability to handle the demands of the presidency.
As the 2024 election approaches, the debate over Biden's fitness for office is likely to intensify, with both Democrats and Republicans weighing the risks and rewards of keeping him as the party's standard-bearer.
