Barack Obama called in for crisis talks as doubts over Joe Biden grow after car crash TV debate with Donald Trump
JOE Biden was last night in crisis talks with Barack Obama and aide Ron Klain over the fall-out from his car crash TV debate with Donald Trump.
Influential Democratic fundraiser Dougie Kass said the duo were having a “sit down” with the President whose wife Jill Biden, he added, “is insistent that Joe runs”.
Kass, a hedge fund manager, said that vice-president Kamala Harris was “furious that she is not being considered as a replacement”.
He added that Gavin Newsom and Gretchen Whitmer were being spoken of as possible swap-ins for Biden.
Kass went on: “Interestingly, my neighbour in East Hampton is hosting the Bidens tomorrow.
“It will be an important tell if the fundraiser is cancelled.”
It came as Democrats last night scrambled to contact Jill Biden, believing she is the only person who could persuade Biden, 81, to stand aside.
A group of Silicon Valley mega-donors including Laurene Powell Jobs, the widow of former Apple chief executive Steve Jobs, were thought to be among them.
A senior Democratic source said: “Jill Biden is the one who matters.
“If she tells Joe to quit, he will. But will she? I don’t know if she could bring herself to do it.”
Speaking in New York on Friday, Jill Biden, 73, stood by the president.
She said: “What my husband does know how to do is tell the truth. When Joe gets knocked down, Joe gets back up. That’s what we’re doing.”
Obama, meanwhile, also backed Biden to run for his second presidential term against billionaire Republican Trump, 78.
In an online post, the fellow former Democrat president wrote: “Bad debate nights happen.
“Trust me, I know. But this election is still a choice between someone who has fought for ordinary folks his entire life and someone who only cares about himself.”
Bill Clinton, another ex-president, said Biden had given America “three years of solid leadership” compared to the “quagmire” left by Trump after his stint in office.
Ways for Joe to go
IF Joe Biden abandons his re-election campaign before the Democrat party’s August convention, a replacement candidate will be chosen there.
If he quits after then, the Democratic National Committee would pick a nominee.
But if he does not step down his delegates are “pledged” to vote for him as he has already won his nomination in the state primaries.
He could be stopped, under the 25th Amendment, if Kamala Harris and a majority of cabinet members make a declaration he cannot continue.
WHO COULD REPLACE HIM
GAVIN NEWSOM
THE slick California governor, 56, is a married dad of four who backs same-sex marriage, but has bungled his state’s homelessness crisis.
Held a secret summit with Prince Harry and wife Meghan in 2020.
GRETCHEN WHITMER
MODERATE Michigan governor, 52, is a former prosecutor and mum of two who has been touted as a likely first female President after shoring up her swing state for Democrats and backing abortion rights.
KAMALA HARRIS
THE Vice President, 59, a former prosecutor, is the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants and the highest ranking black female elected official ever.
But she polls worse against Trump than Biden.
JB PRITZKER
THE father-of-two governor of Illinois, 59, is heir to the Hyatt hotel chain and is the richest politician in office in the US.
Has been strong on gun control, legalised recreational marijuana and abortion rights.
PETE BUTTIGIEG
THE transport secretary, 42, is a good speaker who often jousts with Republicans, but would struggle with centrist voters not ready for a gay President.
Has been blamed for high air fares and airline delays.
MICHELLE OBAMA
FORMER First Lady, 60, is a fantasy pick as she polls higher than anyone else — but says she has no intention of getting back into politics.
Not campaigning for Biden, reportedly over his treatment of one of her friends.
Trump's Prez jibe
DONALD Trump last night claimed Joe Biden had “choked” during their presidential TV debate.
His gloating came after polls showed two thirds of voters thought he beat the President in their showdown on Thursday.
Writing online on Truth Social, he said: “I watched a man, first hand, ‘choke’ under tremendous pressure. Do we want a President who chokes? I don’t think so!”
Trump said Biden’s fiery speech on Friday showed he was “coming out of his trance”.