Democrats strengthen and uncertainty grows in the United States: will Joe Biden seek re-election?

Joe Biden’s potential run for a second presidential term is a closely guarded secret in Washington. The only one who doesn’t seem to hide it is the interested person himself.

This Tuesday’s trip to Arizona shows that, at 80, the Democratic leader is preparing the ground to stay in the White House until ’86.

It is the first time he has come to Arizona as president, and although the official reason is to promote a new semiconductor factory in Phoenix, it is undeniable that this state in the southwestern United Statesvery divided between Republicans and Democrats, it will be fundamental in the presidential campaign.

Biden considers the outcome of the midterm congressional elections in November, in which Republicans failed to regain the Senate and took control of the House of Representatives with a narrow majority, far from the “red wave” a great success , the color of conservatives, who mattered.

His rival and Republican predecessor Donald Trump launched his 2024 campaign in inauspicious weather, but Biden is relishing the zenith of his first term.

positive signs

the American economy defies predictions of severe recession.

The large investment programs adopted by his government and approved by Congress in the last two years are starting to pay off, injecting money into the manufacture of high-tech products, such as semiconductors, green energy, but also more traditional infrastructure such as roads and bridges .

Abroad, the US-led alliance against the Russian invasion of Ukraine is still going strong after nearly a decade, countering America’s sense of failure in Afghanistan.

In Washington, Biden has just successfully concluded a meeting following the state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron.

After satisfying jobs data was released last week, Biden boasted that “things are moving, they’re moving in the right direction.” It doesn’t sound like a statement from someone considering leaving office.

Decision

So while the Democratic chairman has said he won’t make a decision until “early next year,” many of his aides believe he already has.

The president will decide “shortly after the holidays,” his chief of staff, Ron Klain, told the newspaper. The Wall Street Journal Monday, specifying that he expects the president to seek re-election.

“I hope he runs,” agreed Hakeem Jeffries, who will lead House Democrats starting in January, speaking on Fox News Sunday.

“It’s clear,” said James Roosevelt Jr., another senior Democrat The New York Times last week after Biden called for a series of changes to the Democratic nomination process that would favor him.

“He plans to run again,” Senator Chris Coons, a longtime friend of Biden, told AFP.

Newt Gingrich, a pillar of the Republican right, also grudgingly admires Biden.

“Stop underestimating President Biden,” he wrote on the Axios news platform, warning Republicans who have not seen how effective the president is.

But it will be the president’s doctors and family, not political commentators, who will decide if you stand for election.

Biden acknowledged that there were some familiar “discussions” on the island of Nantucket in the US state of Massachusetts, where he spent Thanksgiving. More is expected at Christmas, with influential First Lady Jill Biden.

The health of the president

Also the annual medical report, which should be made public shortly could be decisive.

Biden has some old age ailments: a certain stiffness when he walks – and falls – and frequent speech problems.

However, a year ago, the White House physician concluded that he was “fit” to perform his duties.

Will it still be in two years?

He has already carried out some medical tests and will submit others, the results of which will be made public “in the coming months,” White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said Monday.

Source: AFP

B. C