President Joe Biden has grown more receptive to calls to step aside, and a draft speech is reportedly circulating that lays out the key points he might make if he quit the race.
The Daily Beast reported that a “major West Coast donor” has drawn up bullet points for a “victory speech” that Biden could deliver to the party and nation if he decides to step aside, which Democratic leaders and donors have been publicly and privately urging him to do as questions about his age consume his candidacy.
"Its key points would have Biden say: The most important thing right now is to save the soul of America; our democracy is in danger; this election must be won; to succeed, we will need the confidence of the American people; I have believed — and still believe — I can do the job; but it has become clear that the majority of Americans want a younger person for the job — younger than either of the two candidates; therefore I have decided to step aside and let a next-generation candidate run for president on the Democratic ticket," The Daily Beast reported.
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Biden would also pledge to help end the war in Gaza and support the Democratic candidate, the website added.
The draft hasn't made its way to Biden's camp but is circulating among insiders as donations to the president's campaign have essentially trickled to a stop and leaks have revealed that party leaders, including Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer, House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries and former House speaker Nancy Pelosi have privately urged him to step aside.
“I’m not sure how this could be more humiliating,” a veteran Democratic strategist told the Daily Beast. “[It could be a] big misstep for the people trying to get him off the ticket.”
“You could drive off a cliff or you could wind up in paradise,” that strategist added.