In an unprecedented public statement, the New York Times editorial board has called on President Joe Biden to exit the presidential race, leveraging his underwhelming performance in the recent debate against Donald Trump as a tipping point.

This call from the Times has spurred discussions of an intervention, possibly led by Barack Obama, and opened up a dialogue about employing arcane Democratic National Convention rules to nominate a different candidate, as the Daily Mail reports.

The Times memorably supported other candidates in the 2020 presidential primary race, endorsing Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren over Biden.

Despite not receiving the outlet's endorsement, Biden not only secured the Democratic nomination but also won the presidency in November 2020. This notable past could suggest resilience in Biden's candidacy despite current pressures, according to his campaign.

Biden’s Contentious Debate Night Sparks Concerns

According to sources at CNN, Biden's recent debate performance was declared wholly unsatisfactory by several commentators and political insiders who described it as a "train wreck" and "dumpster fire."

Even Donald Trump, during the debate, expressed bewilderment at Biden's responses, highlighting an apparent decline in Biden’s debate proficiency which was broadcast to a significant CNN audience.

Following this, major Democratic donors and advisors are reportedly contemplating the potential necessity of nominating a different candidate, fearing that Biden's capacity to carry on might diminish the Democratic electoral prospects. The piece in the New York Times emphasized the risk involved with Biden's continuation in the race, criticizing his justification for running as a "reckless gamble."

Despite the onslaught of criticism, Biden has stood resilient, defending his position firmly. In response to the debate and subsequent media backlash, he asserted his belief in his ability to perform the presidential duties effectively.

This statement aligns with the sentiment shared by a senior adviser to Biden, who mentioned to CNN, “The last time Joe Biden lost the New York Times editorial board's endorsement, it turned out pretty well for him."

Other Publications Echo NYT’s Sentiments

It's not just the Times that has expressed skepticism about Joe Biden’s continued candidature. Influential publications like the Financial Times, The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, and The Economist have also published opinions questioning his capability to serve further.

This collective media skepticism portrays a growing consensus about concerns over Biden’s effectiveness in a prospective new term.

In light of the challenging debate night, Barack Obama took to Twitter to defend Biden. He downplayed the influence of the debate's outcome, invoking Biden's lifelong service and contrasting his ethical standards directly with Trump's, emphasizing, "'But this election is still a choice between someone who has fought for ordinary folks his entire life and someone who only cares about himself.’"

In contrast to the editorial's denigration, the Democratic Party milieu isn’t unanimous in dethroning Biden. Discussions now veer towards how to address the striking aspersions cast upon him and the strategical adjustments needed within the Democratic ranks as the convention in August draws near.

The Core of Democratic Concerns

The gravity of Biden’s standing within his party surfaces starkly with suggestions of an "intervention," speculatively led by no lesser figure than former President Barack Obama himself.

This potential move would represent a historic and unprecedented shift in party dynamics, highlighting the extreme measures under consideration.

This aligns with the burgeoning viewpoint among key Democratic donors pondering over the perceived risks mentioned extensively in recent commentary.

Their consideration for an intervention reflects an acute awareness of the stakes involved in continuing to present Biden as the electoral front-runner against Trump.

As these discussions unfold, the Democratic leadership and Biden's campaign are at a crossroads, weighing the impact of public perception influenced by media critiques and the feasibility of either endorsing Biden’s current trajectory or pivoting dramatically before the impending national convention.