Clock ticking on Biden as pressure to quit grows

By Nomia Iqbal, a journalist for BBC News reporting live from the Republican convention in Milwaukee.

President Biden seems to be feeling trapped as the pressure mounts.

Nancy Pelosi, Hakeem Jeffries, Chuck Schumer, and Adam Schiff hold a significant amount of influence within the Democratic party.

The latest news is that ex-President Obama, who is seen as a respected elder in the party, is worried about President Biden. They have had a rocky relationship in the past. According to the Washington Post, Obama has been talking to allies and saying that Biden's chances of winning are getting smaller, and he should think carefully about whether he should continue running for president.

While some have not explicitly asked for Mr. Biden to resign, the fact that they are not denying rumors of private discussions is significant.

Ms. Pelosi is a seasoned politician who excels at strategic thinking and navigating complex political situations.

She doesn't want to be seen as betraying the president she admires, but at the same time, she doesn't want to be held responsible if Democrats experience significant losses in the upcoming election under Mr Biden.

The New York Times stated that Mr. Schumer was presented with data from a key Democratic fundraising group that worried him - the president is lagging behind in the crucial states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

Numerous experts think that the route for Mr. Biden to win is through this region. Additionally, there are indications that Nevada, Georgia, and Arizona may be moving out of reach.

President Biden has changed his opinion on the conditions under which he would give in to increasing pressure.

He initially claimed that only the Lord Almighty could make him withdraw from the campaign, but now he is saying that he would reconsider if his doctor diagnosed him with a medical condition during an interview with BET (Black Entertainment Television).

Afterward, he revealed that he had contracted Covid-19.

Even though he has experienced the sickness previously, the most recent bout has intensified the continuing worries about his advanced years, well-being, and vulnerability.

Receiving a diagnosis of "general malaise," as the doctors call it, is not a good sign for a leader that many Americans already fear may not be fit for the job.

The recent failed attempt to assassinate Donald Trump seemed to have calmed down the Democratic uprising last week, but it may have actually made it worse.

Politics goes beyond having good policies. It also involves demonstrating physical power as a leader.

Several Republicans at the RNC expressed to me that they are not worried about Mr. Biden staying in the race because they do not see him as a threat to Trump. Despite what the polls say, their belief is based on valid reasons.

Compare yesterday's footage of a delicate President Biden moving cautiously on Air Force One with clips of a fearless Trump energetically encouraging others to "Fight! Fight! Fight!".

In the end, it's up to Mr. Bide to make the decision to step back. He doesn't pay attention to polls, citing Trump's win in 2016, his own in 2020, and the recent midterm elections which were expected to be a disaster for his party.

Additionally, there are Democrats who continue to support the president and believe he is still mentally sharp.

However, as we approach the Democratic National Convention just one month away, where the official nomination will be confirmed, it seems like the countdown has started anew and is now in progress.