He’s doubting Biden’s ability.
Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado made headlines on Tuesday night by publicly expressing doubts about President Joe Biden’s chances of winning the upcoming election, although he stopped short of calling for Biden to withdraw from the race.
Appearing on CNN, Bennet confirmed that during a private meeting with Senators Jon Tester of Montana and Sherrod Brown of Ohio, he had voiced concerns that Biden might not defeat former President Donald Trump in the fall election. Bennet, who had run against Biden in the 2020 Democratic primary, pointed to polling data showing Trump leading Biden just months before Election Day.
Expressing deep moral concern for the future of the country, Bennet warned of a potential landslide victory for Trump that could also shift control of Congress. He stressed that his assessment wasn’t merely about polling numbers or political strategy, but a critical moral issue about the direction of the nation.
In response to Bennet’s remarks, Biden’s campaign spokesman Kevin Munoz reaffirmed Biden’s determination to continue campaigning vigorously, emphasizing that Biden understands the importance of engaging with voters and earning their support despite the challenges posed by Trump’s agenda.
Bennet’s comments, however, pose challenges for Biden’s campaign as it seeks to rally Democratic support and counter recent setbacks, including concerns raised after Biden’s performance in a June debate. They also raise the possibility of other Democrats voicing similar doubts or concerns publicly.
While other Democratic senators remained mostly silent about the specifics of the private meeting, Bennet clarified that no one in the discussion had called for Biden to withdraw from the race, and he himself did not advocate for such a move. Recognizing the difficulty Biden might face in acknowledging his electoral challenges, Bennet praised Biden’s extensive public service and leadership but underscored the tough political reality Biden currently confronts.
