David Axelrod Says He Did Not Tell Biden To Drop Out Of 2024 Race Amid Dismal Polls

Democratic strategist David Axelrod walked back remarks this weekend in which he seemed to suggest that President Joe Biden should reconsider his bid for reelection after a new poll showed former President Donald Trump leading in five key swing states.

Axelrod, a key architect of Barack Obama s presidential campaigns, first sparked controversy on Sunday after posting the results of a New York Times/Siena poll that indicated Biden is trailing Trump in many need-to-win states in a potential match-up for the 2024 election. But the strategist insisted Tuesday that he wasnt calling for Biden to drop his bid.

Its overreacting to say I told him to drop out, he told Politico . I didnt do that. Hes the only one to make the decision. And if his decision is no, Im the best person to take this on, then he will.

In his initial remarks Sunday , Axelrod said the poll would send tremors of doubt through the Democratic Party , adding the results were not bed-wetting, but legitimate concern. The poll came out with a year to go before the next presidential election, when such surveys are less reliable.

The @POTUS is justly proud of his accomplishments, he wrote on X. Trump is a dangerous, unhinged demagogue whose brazen disdain for the rules, norms, laws and institutions or democracy should be disqualifying. But the stakes of miscalculation here are too dramatic to ignore.

Only @JoeBiden can make this decision, the strategist added. If he continues to run, he will be the nominee of the Democratic Party. What he needs to decide is whether that is wise; whether its in HIS best interest or the countrys?

It's very late to change horses; a lot will happen in the next year that no one can predict & Biden's team says his resolve to run is firm.
He's defied CW before but this will send tremors of doubt thru the party--not \"bed-wetting,\" but legitimate concern. https://t.co/g6zeWF0T87

David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) November 5, 2023","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"David Axelrod","author_url":"https://twitter.com/davidaxelrod","cache_age":86400,"description":"It's very late to change horses; a lot will happen in the next year that no one can predict & Biden's team says his resolve to run is firm.He's defied CW before but this will send tremors of doubt thru the party--not \"bed-wetting,\" but legitimate concern. https://t.co/g6zeWF0T87 David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) November 5, 2023\n\n","options":{"_hide_media":{"label":"Hide photos, videos, and cards","value":false},"_maxwidth":{"label":"Adjust width","placeholder":"220-550, in px","value":""},"_theme":{"value":"","values":{"dark":"Use dark theme"}}},"provider_name":"Twitter","title":"David Axelrod on Twitter / 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It's very late to change horses; a lot will happen in the next year that no one can predict & Biden's team says his resolve to run is firm.
He's defied CW before but this will send tremors of doubt thru the party--not "bed-wetting," but legitimate concern. https://t.co/g6zeWF0T87
David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) November 5, 2023

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The comments drew fury from some in the Biden orbit. Former White House chief of staff Ron Klain said Axelrod was still at it after criticizing Biden in 2019 before his presidential victory.

Man who called Biden Mr Magoo in Aug 2019 is still at it.., https://t.co/hn85Pr7kR6

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Man who called Biden Mr Magoo in Aug 2019 is still at it.., https://t.co/hn85Pr7kR6
Ronald Klain (@RonaldKlain) November 5, 2023

We appreciate his thoughts, Andrew Bates, who serves as White House deputy press secretary, told Politico of Axelrods remarks.