The President of the United States, Joe Biden, told his predecessor in the White House, Barack Obama, whose “number two” he was, that despite his advanced age he intends to run for re-election in the 2024 election, according to sources published by the portal The Hill are quoted.
Biden’s political future was a recurring source of speculation even before the 2020 election victory When he took office, he was already the oldest president in office at the age of 78. If he performs again and wins, he would be 82 years old in January 2025.
Back in March, Biden had mentioned during a press conference that he was “very happy” to be able to repeat 2024 with Donald Trump as his rival on the Republican front, and the President had already begun conveying this desire to his inner circle, including Obama.
“He thinks he’s the only one who can defeat Trump”said one of the sources cited by The Hill, even though Biden’s popularity has plummeted in recent months.
According to a poll released by CNBC last week, only 38% of Americans support his government.
Some Democrats would question Vice President Kamala Harris’s options, even though the former senator was already considered a potential presidential candidate when Biden selected her as his running mate.
Harris has so far evaded questions about this and in conversation to ABC He assured this year that he did not want to get involved in “college gossip” (corridor rumors) about the upcoming elections. He also stated that he did not raise the issue with Biden.
Biden and Obama team up for a day
On April 5, Biden and Obama met again during the former president’s visit to his former vice president at the White House. The goal of the meeting was to try to regain Democrat strength ahead of the midterm elections.
The atmosphere at the reunion of the old team was nostalgic, festive and humorous at the same time.
“Welcome back to the White House. It feels like old times.” Biden told his former boss in a crowded East Room, which they entered to a standing ovation from staff and members of Congress.
Only 38% of Americans support his government, according to a poll released by CNBC last week. (Photo by Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images) – Photo: Getty ImagesFor Obama, this was the first time since he left five years ago that he set foot in venerable halls and historic rooms, handed power to Donald Trump, and ushered in a period of political turmoil unprecedented in modern times.
“Vice President Biden,” Obama said as he picked up the microphonebefore correcting himself between laughs and saying that “that was a joke”.
Biden extended the joke by introducing himself as “Vice President to Barack Obama.”
It was also a poignant moment for the current president, who served two terms as running mate to America’s first black president before coming out of retirement and barring Trump from re-election.
Surrounded by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, runaway inflation, a heavily obstructive Republican opposition and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, The President had more than a year to know the true difficulties of the position.
The slogan for the White House meeting was a relatively happy political event: the 12th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, an outstanding achievement for Obama at home.
The subsidized health plan, commonly known as Obamacare, expanded access to medical services for millions of people in a country where many doctors and dentists cannot afford and face bankruptcy due to the cost of emergency surgeries.
Republicans have tried repeatedly and frantically to scuttle a plan they denounce as socialism, but Obamacare, which aims to ensure Americans’ health care, has survived most attacks and was expanded under Biden.
“Despite the great difficulties, Joe and I were determined. I intended to push through health care even if it cost me re-election, which seemed like it for a while,” Obama said.
With information from Europa Press and AFP