Biden privately accepts race for second term almost over

Adviser says president admits path to victory is very narrow

- GUSTAF KILANDER

Feeling angry and betrayed after numerous Democrats have called on him to step aside as the party's presidential nominee, Joe Biden and his family may be coming to grips with the notion that he will have to leave the race.

Two sources familiar with the situation told NBC News that there are raw feelings at play as the Democratic National Convention is due to start in about a month's time. The president feels he has been left hung out to dry by party leaders who privately say there's no path to winning in November for the president. Meanwhile, his family has begun mapping out what his exit would look like if he were to call it quits, NBC News reported.

The former president Barack Obama tweeted his support after the disastrous 27 June televised debate with Donald Trump that sparked concerns over Mr Biden's age, but he has since remained quiet, although he has shared his concerns in private.

Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, as well as former speaker Nancy Pelosi, have listened to the concerns of their caucuses and shared them with Mr Biden. In public, they have all said they support whatever Mr Biden chooses to do, but they haven't told members to back Mr Biden or shared any instructions on what the next step might be.

Mr Biden goes back decades with Mr Schumer and Ms Pelosi from his time in the Senate and as vice-president. Sources told NBC News that Mr Biden is angry at how the party is trying to make him step aside.