George Clooney broke his silence Wednesday on President Joe Biden's run for a second term in a published opinion piece.
The actor and filmmaker's New York Times op-ed, "I Love Joe Biden. But We Need a New Nominee," said he is a "lifelong Democrat" and a Biden admirer.
"I love Joe Biden. As a senator. As a vice president and as president. I consider him a friend, and I believe in him. Believe in his character. Believe in his morals. In the last four years, he's won many of the battles he's faced," Clooney wrote.
"We are not going to win in November with this president," he continued. "On top of that, we won't win the House, and we're going to lose the Senate. This isn't only my opinion; this is the opinion of every senator and congress member and governor that I've spoken with in private. Every single one, irrespective of what he or she is saying publicly."
Newsweek reached out to Biden's campaign via email for comment.
The Context
Biden's age, 81, and mental acuity have been a focus of criticism in recent weeks, following his performance at the recent debate with Donald Trump. That night, a Biden aide told Newsweek that Biden was battling a cold, but he has continued to face calls from some in his party to step aside.
Earlier this week, Biden sent a letter to congressional Democrats in which he vowed to remain in the race.
"The question of how to move forward has been well-aired for over a week now. And it's time for it to end," Biden wrote. "I am firmly committed to staying in this race, to running this race to the end, and to beating Donald Trump."
What We Know
In his op-ed, Clooney mentioned Biden's performance in the debate and last Friday's interview with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos.
"But the one battle he cannot win is the fight against time," Clooney wrote. "None of us can. It's devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fund-raiser was not the Joe 'big F-ing deal' Biden of 2010. He wasn't even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate."
Clooney also called for new candidates to enter the race ahead of August's Democratic National Convention.
"Would it be messy? Yes. Democracy is messy," he wrote. "But would it enliven our party and wake up voters who, long before the June debate, had already checked out? It sure would.
"The short ramp to Election Day would be a benefit for us, not a danger. It would give us the chance to showcase the future without so much opposition research and negative campaigning that comes with these ridiculously long and expensive election seasons," Clooney said.
Views
Earlier on Wednesday, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declined to fully endorse Biden's run, saying, "It's up to the president to decide if he's going to run. We're all encouraging him to make that decision because time is running short."
Other Democrats, such as Illinois Representative Mike Quigley and Texas Representative Lloyd Doggett, have said Biden should end his campaign.
But other Democratic lawmakers have expressed support for the president, including New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
"He made clear then, and he has made clear since, that he is in this race.... He had reiterated that this morning. He has reiterated that to the public. Joe Biden is our nominee. He is not leaving this race. He is in this race, and I support him," she said.
What's Next
Biden has repeatedly made it clear that he is staying in the presidential race, despite increasing calls for him to withdraw from Democratic lawmakers and donors.
A RealClearPolitics average polling shows Trump leading by an average of 3.3 percent over Biden across several recent polls.
Update 7/10/24, 12:31 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with further information and background.
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About the writer
Matthew Impelli is a Newsweek staff writer based in New York. His focus is reporting social issues and crime. In ... Read more
