President Joe Biden is grappling with deep frustration and lingering resentment toward key Democratic figures, including former President Barack Obama, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, after he was pressured to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. According to insiders, Biden has struggled to come to terms with the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that led to his decision, which he believes was orchestrated by some of his closest political allies.
The catalyst for Biden's withdrawal reportedly came after a faltering debate performance in Atlanta, Georgia, which convinced Pelosi that Biden could not secure a victory against former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election. Pelosi, known for her political acumen and ruthlessness, took the lead in urging Biden to step aside, a move that the president has since acknowledged as necessary for the party's success but one that has left him feeling betrayed.
"She did what she had to do," Biden is said to have told an insider, referring to Pelosi's role in the decision. He added that while he respects her actions, the sting of her decisiveness remains. "Pelosi cares about the party, not about feelings," Biden reportedly remarked, reflecting his mixed emotions over her intervention.
Pelosi's actions, which were seen as critical to preventing Trump's return to the White House, have been publicly explained during her extensive book tour promoting The Art of Power. In her interviews, Pelosi has maintained that her primary concern was the Democratic Party's ability to win in November, and she has defended her relationship with Biden, stating that her family has "three generations of love for Joe Biden."
However, Biden's frustrations extend beyond Pelosi. The president is reportedly miffed at Obama for not directly voicing concerns about his campaign. While Obama did tweet in support of Biden following the Atlanta debate, he remained largely silent afterward, neither rallying to Biden's defense nor publicly pushing for his withdrawal. This has left Biden feeling abandoned by his former boss, with whom he has had a complicated relationship marked by both personal closeness and political tension.
The relationship between Biden and Obama has long been seen as one of mutual respect, but also one where Obama's inner circle often looked down upon Biden. This tension dates back to the 2016 election, when Obama made it clear that he favored Hillary Clinton as his successor over his then-Vice President. Despite these underlying issues, the current situation has exacerbated Biden's sense of frustration with Obama's perceived lack of direct communication.
Schumer, too, has not escaped Biden's ire. While the president reportedly harbors less resentment toward the Senate Majority Leader than toward Pelosi or Obama, he remains upset that Schumer played a role in the pressure campaign that led to his exit. According to sources, Biden, who has deep respect for the Senate as an institution, was particularly dismayed that Schumer, a key figure in the Senate, contributed to the push for him to step aside.
In the weeks since his withdrawal, Biden has publicly focused on presenting a united front for the Democratic Party. White House spokesperson Andrew Bates emphasized that the president remains committed to delivering results for the American people and is focused on the future rather than dwelling on the past. "President Biden is passionately focused on delivering more historic, concrete results for the American people every single day of his term," Bates said.
Despite these assurances, the tension within the Democratic Party is palpable. The unity that the party hopes to project at its upcoming convention contrasts sharply with the internal strife that has characterized the past few weeks. Biden's withdrawal, driven by concerns over his ability to win in November, has underscored the deep divisions within the party and the challenges it faces as it heads into the 2024 election.
Pelosi's influence, in particular, has been a source of contention. While she has been lauded for her leadership in standing up to Trump and maintaining party discipline, her role in pushing Biden out of the race has also drawn criticism from some quarters. Her comments during a now-infamous appearance on Morning Joe, where she made it clear that she did not support Biden's continued candidacy, are seen by Biden's allies as the decisive moment that sealed his fate.
