The US President is under increasing pressure to step aside following concerns over his mental acuity.
The bulk of the Trump team’s opposition research so far has been focused on US Vice-President Kamala Harris, seen here on July 20.
But the bulk of the preparations so far has been focused on Ms Harris, including a recently concluded poll testing her vulnerabilities in a general election contest, according to the two people. Trump’s senior team preferred that Mr Biden, 81, remained in the race, believing his low approval numbers, and voters’ widespread doubts about his age and cognitive fitness represent the former US president’s best chance at reclaiming the White House.After the debate, the Trump team decided to hold back advertising that could further damage Mr Biden, according to one person briefed on the Trump campaign’s internal discussions, who was not authorised to speak publicly.
The Trump campaign was always going to make Ms Harris – who has repeatedly said that Mr Biden is the party’s nominee and that they are running together – part of the story, particularly with the US President’s visible physical struggles, said Mr Liam Donovan, a former National Republican Senatorial Committee aide.
Aides to Ms Harris have said that Trump has distorted her role, and have noted that regardless, border crossings have fallen since a Biden administration curtailing of asylum. Republicans have long criticised Ms Harris. She has been on the receiving end of similar Republican attacks, particularly about the border and Mr Biden’s acuity, for years. And despite not rolling out videos or signs, several Republicans made her part of their focus during their convention this past week, mentioning her both in conjunction with Mr Biden and also on her own.
A recent New York Times/Siena College poll found Ms Harris in a slightly stronger position against Trump than the US President. The poll, however, was completed before the assassination attempt on Trump.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Trump allies intensify Harris attacks as Biden replacement talk buildsRecent attacks appear to be linked to increased talk about her possibly replacing Biden.
Read more »
Biden mixes up Harris, Trump names at outset of high-stakes news conferenceWASHINGTON: United States President Joe Biden mixed up the name of his vice president, Kamala Harris, and his Republican rival Donald Trump on Thursday (Jul 11) at a news conference where t
Read more »
Biden mixes up Harris, Trump names at outset of high-stakes news conferenceMr Biden had earlier misidentified Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as President Putin.
Read more »
Kamala Harris top choice to replace Joe Biden if he steps aside, sources sayWASHINGTON - Vice President Kamala Harris is the top alternative to replace US President Joe Biden if he decides not to continue his reelection campaign, according to seven senior sources at the Biden campaign, the White House and the Democratic National Committee with knowledge of current discussions on the topic.
Read more »
Biden’s gaffes over Zelenskyy, Harris names has extended crisis for Democrats: AnalystsUnited States President Joe Biden, 81, has faced growing calls to drop out of the presidential race against Republican rival Donald Trump since a disastrous debate in June.
Read more »
Harris, Democrats aim at Trump on abortion ruling anniversaryCOLLEGE PARK, Maryland: President Joe Biden's campaign used the second anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision overturning abortion rights on Monday (Jun 24) to spotlight Donald Trump's role in the ruling, as Democrats zero in on the issue ahead of the November election.
Read more »