Annie Gaus

Gabe Greschler

President Joe Biden&#8217;s insistence that he plans to run for reelection hasn&#8217;t quelled concern among Democrats that the sitting president lacks the energy to beat former President Donald Trump in November.

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President Joe Biden's insistence that he plans to run for reelection hasn't quelled concern among Democrats that the sitting president lacks the energy to beat former President Donald Trump in November.

President Joe Biden&#8217;s insistence that he plans to run for reelection hasn&#8217;t quelled concern among Democrats that the sitting president lacks the energy to beat former President Donald Trump in November.

In an interview Wednesday morning, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi said that &#8220;it&#8217;s up to the president to decide if he will run&#8221; but stopped short of a full-throated endorsement of Biden at the top of the Democratic presidential ticket.

In an interview Wednesday morning, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi said that "it's up to the president to decide if he will run" but stopped short of a full-throated endorsement of Biden at the top of the Democratic presidential ticket.

In an interview Wednesday morning, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi said that &#8220;it&#8217;s up to the president to decide if he will run&#8221; but stopped short of a full-throated endorsement of Biden at the top of the Democratic presidential ticket.

&#8220;We&#8217;re all encouraging him to make that decision because time is running short,&#8221; Pelosi said on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inyHog4pXP0">MSNBC Wednesday morning</a>.

"We're all encouraging him to make that decision because time is running short," Pelosi said on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inyHog4pXP0">MSNBC Wednesday morning</a>.

&#8220;We&#8217;re all encouraging him to make that decision because time is running short,&#8221; Pelosi said on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inyHog4pXP0">MSNBC Wednesday morning</a>.

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Pelosi&#8217;s tempered comments about Biden are some of the most consequential since the president&#8217;s disastrous debate <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/07/05/kamala-harris-joe-biden-presidential-candidate/">performance</a> in late June. Pelosi is one of the Democratic Party&#8217;s highest-ranking members and has long been an ally of Biden during his presidency and vice presidency during the Obama Administration.

As Biden enters do-or-die weekend, San Francisco considers the Kamala Harris question

Pelosi's tempered comments about Biden are some of the most consequential since the president's disastrous debate <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/07/05/kamala-harris-joe-biden-presidential-candidate/">performance</a> in late June. Pelosi is one of the Democratic Party's highest-ranking members and has long been an ally of Biden during his presidency and vice presidency during the Obama Administration.

Pelosi&#8217;s tempered comments about Biden are some of the most consequential since the president&#8217;s disastrous debate <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/07/05/kamala-harris-joe-biden-presidential-candidate/">performance</a> in late June. Pelosi is one of the Democratic Party&#8217;s highest-ranking members and has long been an ally of Biden during his presidency and vice presidency during the Obama Administration.

&#8220;Speaker Pelosi fully supports whatever President Biden decides to do. We must turn our attention to why this race is so important: Donald Trump would be a disaster for our country and our democracy,&#8221; Pelosi spokesperson Ian Krager told The Standard.

"Speaker Pelosi fully supports whatever President Biden decides to do. We must turn our attention to why this race is so important: Donald Trump would be a disaster for our country and our democracy," Pelosi spokesperson Ian Krager told The Standard.

&#8220;Speaker Pelosi fully supports whatever President Biden decides to do. We must turn our attention to why this race is so important: Donald Trump would be a disaster for our country and our democracy,&#8221; Pelosi spokesperson Ian Krager told The Standard.

Krager also sent a <a href="https://x.com/elliskkim/status/1811046928563491036?s=46&amp;t=n34IcpFMF_kBpub0oPId4A">tweet</a> from a CBS News reporter who interviewed Pelosi after the MSNBC appearance where the speaker emerita said her comments on the show had been subject to &#8220;misinterpretations.&#8221;

Krager also sent a <a href="https://x.com/elliskkim/status/1811046928563491036?s=46&amp;t=n34IcpFMF_kBpub0oPId4A">tweet</a> from a CBS News reporter who interviewed Pelosi after the MSNBC appearance where the speaker emerita said her comments on the show had been subject to "misinterpretations."

Krager also sent a <a href="https://x.com/elliskkim/status/1811046928563491036?s=46&amp;t=n34IcpFMF_kBpub0oPId4A">tweet</a> from a CBS News reporter who interviewed Pelosi after the MSNBC appearance where the speaker emerita said her comments on the show had been subject to &#8220;misinterpretations.&#8221;

A senior member of the California Democratic Party was more blunt in their assessment of Biden, telling The Standard Wednesday morning that Biden should step out of the race.

A senior member of the California Democratic Party was more blunt in their assessment of Biden, telling The Standard Wednesday morning that Biden should step out of the race.

&#8220;I think we need to have the strongest messenger against Trump,&#8221; the source said. &#8220;I don&#8217;t think that&#8217;s Joe Biden.&#8221;

"I think we need to have the strongest messenger against Trump," the source said. "I don't think that's Joe Biden."

&#8220;I think we need to have the strongest messenger against Trump,&#8221; the source said. &#8220;I don&#8217;t think that&#8217;s Joe Biden.&#8221;

When asked whether the state&#8217;s Democratic Party would be coming out with a statement against the president&#8217;s candidacy, the source said it was unlikely and that its leadership was &#8220;waiting&#8221; to see how the situation develops.

When asked whether the state's Democratic Party would be coming out with a statement against the president's candidacy, the source said it was unlikely and that its leadership was "waiting" to see how the situation develops.

When asked whether the state&#8217;s Democratic Party would be coming out with a statement against the president&#8217;s candidacy, the source said it was unlikely and that its leadership was &#8220;waiting&#8221; to see how the situation develops.

Rusty Hicks, the chair of the state&#8217;s Democratic Party, said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/CA_Dem/status/1806523436354748673" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">statement</a>&nbsp;the same night of the president&#8217;s debate late last month that he was in support of Biden continuing as the nominee.

Rusty Hicks, the chair of the state's Democratic Party, said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/CA_Dem/status/1806523436354748673" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">statement</a>&nbsp;the same night of the president's debate late last month that he was in support of Biden continuing as the nominee.

Rusty Hicks, the chair of the state&#8217;s Democratic Party, said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/CA_Dem/status/1806523436354748673" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">statement</a>&nbsp;the same night of the president&#8217;s debate late last month that he was in support of Biden continuing as the nominee.

US President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) applauds during a joint session of Congress in the U.S. Capitol House Chamber on March 1, 2022 in Washington, DC. During his first State of the Union address, President Joe Biden spoke on his administration’s efforts to lead a global response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, work to curb inflation, and bring the country out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/gettyimages-12388642982.jpg?w=2314" alt="A man speaks from a podium with a microphone, while a woman in a blue blazer and pearl necklace stands behind him, clapping. An American flag is in the background." class="wp-image-289940"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">House Speaker Nancy Pelosi politely applauds President Joe Biden during his State of the Union address on March 1, 2022.</figcaption></figure>

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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/gettyimages-12388642982.jpg?w=2314" alt="A man speaks from a podium with a microphone, while a woman in a blue blazer and pearl necklace stands behind him, clapping. An American flag is in the background." class="wp-image-289940"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">House Speaker Nancy Pelosi politely applauds President Joe Biden during his State of the Union address on March 1, 2022.</figcaption></figure>

Pelosi&#8217;s comments come after top donors and others in the Democratic Party this week have expressed concerns publicly about the president&#8217;s chances in November, and whether his unpopularity could drag down Democrats running for Congress.

Pelosi's comments come after top donors and others in the Democratic Party this week have expressed concerns publicly about the president's chances in November, and whether his unpopularity could drag down Democrats running for Congress.

Pelosi&#8217;s comments come after top donors and others in the Democratic Party this week have expressed concerns publicly about the president&#8217;s chances in November, and whether his unpopularity could drag down Democrats running for Congress.

On Wednesday, actor and longtime Democratic Party donor George Clooney penned an <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/10/opinion/joe-biden-democratic-nominee.html?unlocked_article_code=1.6E0.XR8n.xZVpLSYCHK8W&amp;smid=url-share">opinion</a> article in The New York Times arguing that Biden should step aside. This week, Colorado Sen. Michael Bennett expressed concerns about the president&#8217;s chances in the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/07/10/us/biden-trump-election/senator-michael-bennet-says-democrats-must-come-to-grips-with-the-risk-that-biden-could-lose?smid=url-share">November</a> race but fell short of saying he should drop out, the farthest a sitting senator has criticized the president&#8217;s candidacy.

On Wednesday, actor and longtime Democratic Party donor George Clooney penned an <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/10/opinion/joe-biden-democratic-nominee.html?unlocked_article_code=1.6E0.XR8n.xZVpLSYCHK8W&amp;smid=url-share">opinion</a> article in The New York Times arguing that Biden should step aside. This week, Colorado Sen. Michael Bennett expressed concerns about the president's chances in the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/07/10/us/biden-trump-election/senator-michael-bennet-says-democrats-must-come-to-grips-with-the-risk-that-biden-could-lose?smid=url-share">November</a> race but fell short of saying he should drop out, the farthest a sitting senator has criticized the president's candidacy.

On Wednesday, actor and longtime Democratic Party donor George Clooney penned an <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/10/opinion/joe-biden-democratic-nominee.html?unlocked_article_code=1.6E0.XR8n.xZVpLSYCHK8W&amp;smid=url-share">opinion</a> article in The New York Times arguing that Biden should step aside. This week, Colorado Sen. Michael Bennett expressed concerns about the president&#8217;s chances in the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/07/10/us/biden-trump-election/senator-michael-bennet-says-democrats-must-come-to-grips-with-the-risk-that-biden-could-lose?smid=url-share">November</a> race but fell short of saying he should drop out, the farthest a sitting senator has criticized the president&#8217;s candidacy.

A total of <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/07/10/us/biden-trump-election/senator-michael-bennet-says-democrats-must-come-to-grips-with-the-risk-that-biden-could-lose?smid=url-share">seven</a> House Democrats have called for Biden to end his campaign, including New Jersey&#8217;s Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who said on <a href="https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/politics/2024/07/09/mikie-sherrill-nj-joe-biden-end-president-election-2024-age/74344079007/">Tuesday</a> it would be in the &#8220;best interest of democracy.&#8221;

A total of <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/07/10/us/biden-trump-election/senator-michael-bennet-says-democrats-must-come-to-grips-with-the-risk-that-biden-could-lose?smid=url-share">seven</a> House Democrats have called for Biden to end his campaign, including New Jersey's Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who said on <a href="https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/politics/2024/07/09/mikie-sherrill-nj-joe-biden-end-president-election-2024-age/74344079007/">Tuesday</a> it would be in the "best interest of democracy."

A total of <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/07/10/us/biden-trump-election/senator-michael-bennet-says-democrats-must-come-to-grips-with-the-risk-that-biden-could-lose?smid=url-share">seven</a> House Democrats have called for Biden to end his campaign, including New Jersey&#8217;s Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who said on <a href="https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/politics/2024/07/09/mikie-sherrill-nj-joe-biden-end-president-election-2024-age/74344079007/">Tuesday</a> it would be in the &#8220;best interest of democracy.&#8221;

Pelosi says Biden must decide ASAP whether to stay in the race: ‘Time is running short’

Han Li

With anxieties about President Joe Biden&#8217;s candidacy riding high, San Francisco Mayor London Breed said in an interview Wednesday that—in contrast to some leading Democrats—she wholeheartedly supports the president remaining on the ticket.&nbsp;

With anxieties about President Joe Biden's candidacy riding high, San Francisco Mayor London Breed said in an interview Wednesday that—in contrast to some leading Democrats—she wholeheartedly supports the president remaining on the ticket.&nbsp;

With anxieties about President Joe Biden&#8217;s candidacy riding high, San Francisco Mayor London Breed said in an interview Wednesday that—in contrast to some leading Democrats—she wholeheartedly supports the president remaining on the ticket.&nbsp;

&#8220;He&#8217;s still very fired up and ready to take on Donald Trump,&#8221; Breed told The Standard. &#8220;We need someone in the office who cares about taking care of the entire United States of America, so we&#8217;ve got to understand what&#8217;s at stake here.&#8221;

"He's still very fired up and ready to take on Donald Trump," Breed told The Standard. "We need someone in the office who cares about taking care of the entire United States of America, so we've got to understand what's at stake here."

&#8220;He&#8217;s still very fired up and ready to take on Donald Trump,&#8221; Breed told The Standard. &#8220;We need someone in the office who cares about taking care of the entire United States of America, so we&#8217;ve got to understand what&#8217;s at stake here.&#8221;

Breed acknowledged that Biden&#8217;s <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/28/joe-biden-debate-democrats-donald-trump-gavin-newsom/">debate performance last month</a> wasn&#8217;t his best moment, but said she remains confident in his leadership.

&#8216;He needs to step down&#8217;: City&#8217;s political class reels from Biden debate disaster

Breed acknowledged that Biden's <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/28/joe-biden-debate-democrats-donald-trump-gavin-newsom/">debate performance last month</a> wasn't his best moment, but said she remains confident in his leadership.

Breed acknowledged that Biden&#8217;s <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/28/joe-biden-debate-democrats-donald-trump-gavin-newsom/">debate performance last month</a> wasn&#8217;t his best moment, but said she remains confident in his leadership.

&#8220;He had one rough night, [but that] doesn&#8217;t mean he doesn&#8217;t know what to do and how to do it,&#8221; Breed said. &#8220;And he knows what to do and how to do it. And he&#8217;s doing it.&#8221;

"He had one rough night, [but that] doesn't mean he doesn't know what to do and how to do it," Breed said. "And he knows what to do and how to do it. And he's doing it."

&#8220;He had one rough night, [but that] doesn&#8217;t mean he doesn&#8217;t know what to do and how to do it,&#8221; Breed said. &#8220;And he knows what to do and how to do it. And he&#8217;s doing it.&#8221;

Along with other Democratic mayors, Breed met with Biden virtually on Tuesday to address the issues like housing, childcare and rising living costs in the country, she said, and Biden &#8220;was in a very talkative mood” on the call.

Along with other Democratic mayors, Breed met with Biden virtually on Tuesday to address the issues like housing, childcare and rising living costs in the country, she said, and Biden "was in a very talkative mood” on the call.

Along with other Democratic mayors, Breed met with Biden virtually on Tuesday to address the issues like housing, childcare and rising living costs in the country, she said, and Biden &#8220;was in a very talkative mood” on the call.

Since Biden’s shaky performance at the debate, attention has turned to Vice President Kamala Harris, a former San Francisco district attorney and longtime ally of Breed. Breed has described Harris as a <a href="https://twitter.com/LondonBreed/status/1491854006267756544">good friend and mentor</a>.

Since Biden’s shaky performance at the debate, attention has turned to Vice President Kamala Harris, a former San Francisco district attorney and longtime ally of Breed. Breed has described Harris as a <a href="https://twitter.com/LondonBreed/status/1491854006267756544">good friend and mentor</a>.

Breed said she&#8217;s &#8220;wholeheartedly supportive of [Harris], too,&#8221; but seemed unconvinced about the idea of Harris becoming the presidential nominee.

Breed said she's "wholeheartedly supportive of [Harris], too," but seemed unconvinced about the idea of Harris becoming the presidential nominee.

Breed said she&#8217;s &#8220;wholeheartedly supportive of [Harris], too,&#8221; but seemed unconvinced about the idea of Harris becoming the presidential nominee.

&#8220;She will never disrespect Joe Biden,&#8221; Breed said. &#8220;She is there to support the president. She&#8217;s doing exactly what Biden did for [President Barack] Obama.&#8221;

"She will never disrespect Joe Biden," Breed said. "She is there to support the president. She's doing exactly what Biden did for [President Barack] Obama."

&#8220;She will never disrespect Joe Biden,&#8221; Breed said. &#8220;She is there to support the president. She&#8217;s doing exactly what Biden did for [President Barack] Obama.&#8221;

Breed also said San Francisco has benefited tremendously because of the “extraordinary relationship” between her office and the federal government.

Breed also said San Francisco has benefited tremendously because of the “extraordinary relationship” between her office and the federal government.

In a written statement, the Mayor&#8217;s Office pointed to the Biden administration’s accomplishments in passing a landmark infrastructure package and its concerted effort to disrupt the production and trafficking of fentanyl.

In a written statement, the Mayor's Office pointed to the Biden administration’s accomplishments in passing a landmark infrastructure package and its concerted effort to disrupt the production and trafficking of fentanyl.

In a written statement, the Mayor&#8217;s Office pointed to the Biden administration’s accomplishments in passing a landmark infrastructure package and its concerted effort to disrupt the production and trafficking of fentanyl.

&#8220;Mayor Breed looks forward to continuing to work with the president and his administration, and our federal partners on local issues important to San Francisco&#8217;s future,&#8221; the statement said.

"Mayor Breed looks forward to continuing to work with the president and his administration, and our federal partners on local issues important to San Francisco's future," the statement said.

&#8220;Mayor Breed looks forward to continuing to work with the president and his administration, and our federal partners on local issues important to San Francisco&#8217;s future,&#8221; the statement said.

Earlier on Wednesday, comments by Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi kicked off a fresh wave of speculation about the president’s future on the Democratic ticket. Pelosi <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/07/10/pelosi-biden-president-race/">said on MSNBC</a> “it’s up to the president to decide if he will run” but stopped short of an unequivocal endorsement of Biden as the party’s nominee.&nbsp;

Pelosi says Biden must decide ASAP whether to stay in the race: &#8216;Time is running short&#8217;

Earlier on Wednesday, comments by Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi kicked off a fresh wave of speculation about the president’s future on the Democratic ticket. Pelosi <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/07/10/pelosi-biden-president-race/">said on MSNBC</a> “it’s up to the president to decide if he will run” but stopped short of an unequivocal endorsement of Biden as the party’s nominee.&nbsp;

“We’re all encouraging him to make that decision because time is running short,” Pelosi said.

“We’re all encouraging him to make that decision because time is running short,” Pelosi said.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, one California Democratic official had a harsher assessment of the president’s chances.&nbsp;

Speaking on condition of anonymity, one California Democratic official had a harsher assessment of the president’s chances.&nbsp;

“I think we need to have the strongest messenger against Trump,” the source said. “I don’t think that’s Joe Biden.”

“I think we need to have the strongest messenger against Trump,” the source said. “I don’t think that’s Joe Biden.”

Breed says Biden should stay on presidential ticket: ‘He knows how to do it’

Josh Koehn

A seasoned San Francisco political consultant didn’t even wait to properly say hello before uttering these words into the phone. And he wasn’t alone.&nbsp;

A seasoned San Francisco political consultant didn’t even wait to properly say hello before uttering these words into the phone. And he wasn’t alone.&nbsp;

Democrats far and wide are panicking over President Joe Biden’s performance in <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/27/presidential-debate-bingo-watch/">Thursday night’s debate</a> against Donald Trump. Many supporters of the incumbent have been convulsing on social media since the 81-year-old Biden took the stage and mumbled and meandered his way through an embarrassing spectacle, unable to appropriately confront Trump on his many lies and record as a recently convicted felon.

Get through tonight&#8217;s presidential debate with The Standard&#8217;s drinking game bingo card

Democrats far and wide are panicking over President Joe Biden’s performance in <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/27/presidential-debate-bingo-watch/">Thursday night’s debate</a> against Donald Trump. Many supporters of the incumbent have been convulsing on social media since the 81-year-old Biden took the stage and mumbled and meandered his way through an embarrassing spectacle, unable to appropriately confront Trump on his many lies and record as a recently convicted felon.

Concerns about Biden’s age and signs of mental and physical decline have been building for more than a year, but a political consultant who works with major Democratic Party donors and top party officials told The Standard that conversations to replace Biden intensified immediately after the debate.

Concerns about Biden’s age and signs of mental and physical decline have been building for more than a year, but a political consultant who works with major Democratic Party donors and top party officials told The Standard that conversations to replace Biden intensified immediately after the debate.

We asked Presidio golfers for their takes on Trump-Biden debate. The club kicked us out

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“It was a political catastrophe that was worse than anybody imagined,” the source said. “There is no way President Biden can win. Anybody who says it was one bad night is kidding themselves.

“It was a political catastrophe that was worse than anybody imagined,” the source said. “There is no way President Biden can win. Anybody who says it was one bad night is kidding themselves.

“Trump was incoherent, but he did it with energy and vigor. Biden looked like a bumbling old man, just like they’ve characterized him.”

“Trump was incoherent, but he did it with energy and vigor. Biden looked like a bumbling old man, just like they’ve characterized him.”

Democratic donors and party officials are now talking about swapping out Biden for a different presidential nominee. Names being bandied about include California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Vice President Kamala Harris and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Democratic donors and party officials are now talking about swapping out Biden for a different presidential nominee. Names being bandied about include California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Vice President Kamala Harris and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Biden will be a one-term president. He still has the chance to watch a Democrat be inaugurated. There are 68 days until the DNC. Whitmer/Moore beats Trump.&mdash; Steve Schmidt (@SteveSchmidtSES) <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveSchmidtSES/status/1806509993853616235?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“I think Biden is the biggest threat to democracy—not Trump,” said another political consultant who has worked on state and national campaigns.

“I think Biden is the biggest threat to democracy—not Trump,” said another political consultant who has worked on state and national campaigns.

“He needs to step down. We’ve all held our noses and got behind him … and then last night just shot that all to hell. We can’t ignore it anymore. It’s sad on a political level for our party, but also our country. It’s sad to see him in this spot as a human being. But he should not be in this position.”

“He needs to step down. We’ve all held our noses and got behind him … and then last night just shot that all to hell. We can’t ignore it anymore. It’s sad on a political level for our party, but also our country. It’s sad to see him in this spot as a human being. But he should not be in this position.”

A local tech entrepreneur and Democratic Party donor said that conversations about Biden’s health and mental acuity picked up last November during the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/search/?query=apec">Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)</a> summit, when Biden and other world leaders convened for a week of meetings. Biden often looked slow and sounded sluggish.&nbsp;

A local tech entrepreneur and Democratic Party donor said that conversations about Biden’s health and mental acuity picked up last November during the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/search/?query=apec">Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)</a> summit, when Biden and other world leaders convened for a week of meetings. Biden often looked slow and sounded sluggish.&nbsp;

In a speech he delivered to some of San Francisco’s wealthiest Democratic Party donors at the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/15/joe-biden-san-francisco-tech-elites-apec-summit/">Exploratorium</a>, Biden rambled through his remarks, congratulating Mayor London Breed on being the mayor—it was a little weird—and suggested that <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/11/10/gavin-newsom-president-san-francisco-governor-biden-harris/">Newsom could someday be president</a>, appearing to pass over Vice President Harris as a possibility.&nbsp;

Joe Biden parties with Gavin Newsom, Steve Kerr and Gwen Stefani in San Francisco

Does Gov. Gavin Newsom have what it takes to be president?

In a speech he delivered to some of San Francisco’s wealthiest Democratic Party donors at the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/15/joe-biden-san-francisco-tech-elites-apec-summit/">Exploratorium</a>, Biden rambled through his remarks, congratulating Mayor London Breed on being the mayor—it was a little weird—and suggested that <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/11/10/gavin-newsom-president-san-francisco-governor-biden-harris/">Newsom could someday be president</a>, appearing to pass over Vice President Harris as a possibility.&nbsp;

But the state and national political consultant said that putting Newsom at the top of the ticket would only create more headaches.

But the state and national political consultant said that putting Newsom at the top of the ticket would only create more headaches.

“I think swapping in Gavin would be a disaster,” the source said. “That would be just trading out one problem for another.”

“I think swapping in Gavin would be a disaster,” the source said. “That would be just trading out one problem for another.”

Newsom, the former San Francisco mayor whose leadership of California has been a lightning rod for criticism, defended Biden after the debate, saying conversations about replacing him on the Democratic Party ticket are “unhelpful” and “unnecessary.”

Newsom, the former San Francisco mayor whose leadership of California has been a lightning rod for criticism, defended Biden after the debate, saying conversations about replacing him on the Democratic Party ticket are “unhelpful” and “unnecessary.”

Trump and his supporters have frequently called out Biden’s health as an issue on the campaign trail, and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/05/donald-trump-san-francisco-campaign-fundraiser-tech-david-sacks/">venture capitalist David Sacks</a>—who recently hosted a fundraiser for Trump in San Francisco—posed a question many people on both sides of the political aisle are asking.

Meet tech&#8217;s biggest Trumper: How David Sacks became the GOP&#8217;s Silicon Valley money man

Trump and his supporters have frequently called out Biden’s health as an issue on the campaign trail, and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/06/05/donald-trump-san-francisco-campaign-fundraiser-tech-david-sacks/">venture capitalist David Sacks</a>—who recently hosted a fundraiser for Trump in San Francisco—posed a question many people on both sides of the political aisle are asking.

“If Biden can’t handle a debate,” Sacks said, “how can he handle the most dangerous foreign policy situation since the Cuban Missile Crisis?”

“If Biden can’t handle a debate,” Sacks said, “how can he handle the most dangerous foreign policy situation since the Cuban Missile Crisis?”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">If Biden can’t handle a debate, how can he handle the most dangerous foreign policy situation since the Cuban Missile Crisis? It’s time to pull back from the brink.&mdash; David Sacks (@DavidSacks) <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidSacks/status/1806573844150526136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Biden’s debate performance drew comparisons to the late <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/05/dignitaries-arrive-at-san-francisco-city-hall-for-dianne-feinstein-funeral/">Sen. Dianne Feinstein</a>, whose declining health was well-documented for years. Less than two months until the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, party officials will need to delicately navigate how to convince Biden to step down. Multiple sources said that could require the help of First Lady Dr. Jill Biden.

&#8216;An icon of California&#8217;: Hundreds mourn Dianne Feinstein at San Francisco funeral

Biden’s debate performance drew comparisons to the late <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/05/dignitaries-arrive-at-san-francisco-city-hall-for-dianne-feinstein-funeral/">Sen. Dianne Feinstein</a>, whose declining health was well-documented for years. Less than two months until the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, party officials will need to delicately navigate how to convince Biden to step down. Multiple sources said that could require the help of First Lady Dr. Jill Biden.

“The overwhelming probability is Biden will be the candidate,” said the San Francisco political consultant. “These people’s egos won’t allow them to step aside. But if you’re a younger person, are you showing up to vote in this election?”

“The overwhelming probability is Biden will be the candidate,” said the San Francisco political consultant. “These people’s egos won’t allow them to step aside. But if you’re a younger person, are you showing up to vote in this election?”

‘He needs to step down’: City’s political class reels from Biden debate disaster

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Monday signed an ambitious executive order on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/artificial-intelligence">artificial intelligence</a>&nbsp;that seeks to balance the needs of cutting-edge technology companies with national security and consumer rights, creating an early set of guardrails that could be fortified by legislation and global agreements.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Monday signed an ambitious executive order on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/artificial-intelligence">artificial intelligence</a>&nbsp;that seeks to balance the needs of cutting-edge technology companies with national security and consumer rights, creating an early set of guardrails that could be fortified by legislation and global agreements.

Before signing the order, Biden said AI is driving change at “warp speed” and carries tremendous potential as well as perils.

Before signing the order, Biden said AI is driving change at “warp speed” and carries tremendous potential as well as perils.

“AI is all around us,” Biden said. “To realize the promise of AI and avoid the risk, we need to govern this technology.”

“AI is all around us,” Biden said. “To realize the promise of AI and avoid the risk, we need to govern this technology.”

RELATED: <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/28/san-francisco-artificial-intelligence-startups-government/">How San Francisco AI Startups Are Reshaping Local Governments Around the U.S.</a>

How San Francisco AI startups are reshaping local governments around the U.S

RELATED: <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/28/san-francisco-artificial-intelligence-startups-government/">How San Francisco AI Startups Are Reshaping Local Governments Around the U.S.</a>

The order is an initial step that is meant to ensure that AI is <a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-ai-artificial-intelligence-518ec2a9190cfb10db9dbcc1eaab3c4c">trustworthy and helpful</a>, rather than deceitful and destructive. The order—which will likely need to be augmented by congressional action—seeks to steer how AI is developed so that companies can profit without putting public safety in jeopardy.

The order is an initial step that is meant to ensure that AI is <a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-ai-artificial-intelligence-518ec2a9190cfb10db9dbcc1eaab3c4c">trustworthy and helpful</a>, rather than deceitful and destructive. The order—which will likely need to be augmented by congressional action—seeks to steer how AI is developed so that companies can profit without putting public safety in jeopardy.

Using the Defense Production Act, the order requires leading AI developers to share safety test results and other information with the government. The National Institute of Standards and Technology is to create standards to ensure AI tools are safe and secure before public release.

Using the Defense Production Act, the order requires leading AI developers to share safety test results and other information with the government. The National Institute of Standards and Technology is to create standards to ensure AI tools are safe and secure before public release.

The Commerce Department is to issue guidance to label and watermark AI-generated content to help differentiate between authentic interactions and those generated by software. The extensive order touches on matters of privacy, civil rights, consumer protections, scientific research and worker rights.

The Commerce Department is to issue guidance to label and watermark AI-generated content to help differentiate between authentic interactions and those generated by software. The extensive order touches on matters of privacy, civil rights, consumer protections, scientific research and worker rights.

White House chief of staff Jeff Zients recalled Biden giving his staff a directive when formulating the order to move with urgency on the issue.

White House chief of staff Jeff Zients recalled Biden giving his staff a directive when formulating the order to move with urgency on the issue.

“We can’t move at a normal government pace,” Zients said the Democratic president told him. “We have to move as fast, if not faster, than the technology itself.”

“We can’t move at a normal government pace,” Zients said the Democratic president told him. “We have to move as fast, if not faster, than the technology itself.”

In Biden&#8217;s view, the government was late to address the risks of social media and now U.S. youth are grappling with related mental health issues. AI has the positive ability to accelerate cancer research, model the impacts of climate change, boost economic output and improve government services among other benefits. But it could also warp basic notions of truth&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-deepfakes-ai-x-twitter-facebook-meta-instagram-d52e8703a9e47936061bf2c8bbc94bb5">with false images</a>, deepen racial and social inequalities and provide a tool to scammers and criminals.

In Biden's view, the government was late to address the risks of social media and now U.S. youth are grappling with related mental health issues. AI has the positive ability to accelerate cancer research, model the impacts of climate change, boost economic output and improve government services among other benefits. But it could also warp basic notions of truth&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-deepfakes-ai-x-twitter-facebook-meta-instagram-d52e8703a9e47936061bf2c8bbc94bb5">with false images</a>, deepen racial and social inequalities and provide a tool to scammers and criminals.

In Biden&#8217;s view, the government was late to address the risks of social media and now U.S. youth are grappling with related mental health issues. AI has the positive ability to accelerate cancer research, model the impacts of climate change, boost economic output and improve government services among other benefits. But it could also warp basic notions of truth&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-deepfakes-ai-x-twitter-facebook-meta-instagram-d52e8703a9e47936061bf2c8bbc94bb5">with false images</a>, deepen racial and social inequalities and provide a tool to scammers and criminals.

With the European Union nearing final passage of a sweeping law to rein in AI harms and Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/schumer-artificial-intelligence-elon-musk-senate-efcfb1067d68ad2f595db7e92167943c">still in the early stages</a>&nbsp;of debating safeguards, the Biden administration is “stepping up to use the levers it can control,” said digital rights advocate Alexandra Reeve Givens, president of the Center for Democracy &amp; Technology. &#8220;That’s issuing guidance and standards to shape private sector behavior and leading by example in the federal government’s own use of AI.”

With the European Union nearing final passage of a sweeping law to rein in AI harms and Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/schumer-artificial-intelligence-elon-musk-senate-efcfb1067d68ad2f595db7e92167943c">still in the early stages</a>&nbsp;of debating safeguards, the Biden administration is “stepping up to use the levers it can control,” said digital rights advocate Alexandra Reeve Givens, president of the Center for Democracy &amp; Technology. "That’s issuing guidance and standards to shape private sector behavior and leading by example in the federal government’s own use of AI.”

With the European Union nearing final passage of a sweeping law to rein in AI harms and Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/schumer-artificial-intelligence-elon-musk-senate-efcfb1067d68ad2f595db7e92167943c">still in the early stages</a>&nbsp;of debating safeguards, the Biden administration is “stepping up to use the levers it can control,” said digital rights advocate Alexandra Reeve Givens, president of the Center for Democracy &amp; Technology. &#8220;That’s issuing guidance and standards to shape private sector behavior and leading by example in the federal government’s own use of AI.”

The order builds on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/artificial-intelligence-safeguards-joe-biden-kamala-harris-4caf02b94275429f764b06840897436c">voluntary commitments</a>&nbsp;already made by technology companies. It&#8217;s part of a broader strategy that administration officials say also includes congressional legislation and international diplomacy, a sign of the disruptions already caused by the introduction of new AI tools such as ChatGPT that can generate text, images and sounds.

The order builds on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/artificial-intelligence-safeguards-joe-biden-kamala-harris-4caf02b94275429f764b06840897436c">voluntary commitments</a>&nbsp;already made by technology companies. It's part of a broader strategy that administration officials say also includes congressional legislation and international diplomacy, a sign of the disruptions already caused by the introduction of new AI tools such as ChatGPT that can generate text, images and sounds.

The order builds on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/artificial-intelligence-safeguards-joe-biden-kamala-harris-4caf02b94275429f764b06840897436c">voluntary commitments</a>&nbsp;already made by technology companies. It&#8217;s part of a broader strategy that administration officials say also includes congressional legislation and international diplomacy, a sign of the disruptions already caused by the introduction of new AI tools such as ChatGPT that can generate text, images and sounds.

The guidance within the order is to be implemented and fulfilled over the range of 90 days to 365 days.

The guidance within the order is to be implemented and fulfilled over the range of 90 days to 365 days.

Last Thursday, Biden gathered his aides in the Oval Office to review and finalize the executive order, a 30-minute meeting that stretched to 70 minutes, despite other pressing matters, including the mass shooting in Maine, the Israel-Hamas war and the selection of a new House speaker.

Last Thursday, Biden gathered his aides in the Oval Office to review and finalize the executive order, a 30-minute meeting that stretched to 70 minutes, despite other pressing matters, including the mass shooting in Maine, the Israel-Hamas war and the selection of a new House speaker.

Biden was profoundly curious about the technology in the months of meetings that led up to drafting the order. His science advisory council focused on AI at two meetings and his Cabinet discussed it at two meetings. The president also pressed tech executives and civil society advocates about the technology&#8217;s capabilities at multiple gatherings.

Biden was profoundly curious about the technology in the months of meetings that led up to drafting the order. His science advisory council focused on AI at two meetings and his Cabinet discussed it at two meetings. The president also pressed tech executives and civil society advocates about the technology's capabilities at multiple gatherings.

Biden was profoundly curious about the technology in the months of meetings that led up to drafting the order. His science advisory council focused on AI at two meetings and his Cabinet discussed it at two meetings. The president also pressed tech executives and civil society advocates about the technology&#8217;s capabilities at multiple gatherings.

“He was as impressed and alarmed as anyone,” deputy White House chief of staff Bruce Reed said in an interview. “He saw fake AI images of himself, of his dog. He saw how it can make bad poetry. And he’s seen and heard the incredible and terrifying technology of voice cloning, which can take three seconds of your voice and turn it into an entire fake conversation.”

“He was as impressed and alarmed as anyone,” deputy White House chief of staff Bruce Reed said in an interview. “He saw fake AI images of himself, of his dog. He saw how it can make bad poetry. And he’s seen and heard the incredible and terrifying technology of voice cloning, which can take three seconds of your voice and turn it into an entire fake conversation.”

The issue of AI was seemingly inescapable for Biden. At Camp David one weekend, he relaxed by watching the Tom Cruise film “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One.” The film&#8217;s villain is a sentient and rogue AI known as “the Entity” that sinks a submarine and kills its crew in the movie&#8217;s opening minutes.

The issue of AI was seemingly inescapable for Biden. At Camp David one weekend, he relaxed by watching the Tom Cruise film “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One.” The film's villain is a sentient and rogue AI known as “the Entity” that sinks a submarine and kills its crew in the movie's opening minutes.

The issue of AI was seemingly inescapable for Biden. At Camp David one weekend, he relaxed by watching the Tom Cruise film “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One.” The film&#8217;s villain is a sentient and rogue AI known as “the Entity” that sinks a submarine and kills its crew in the movie&#8217;s opening minutes.

FILE - White House chief of staff Jeff Zients listens during a meeting with President Joe Biden's "Investing in America Cabinet," in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Friday, May 5, 2023, in Washington. Biden on Monday, Oct. 30, will sign a sweeping executive order to guide the development of artificial intelligence. Zients recalled Biden giving his staff a simple directive to move with urgency on the issue, having considered the technology a top priority. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/AP23302724490566.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-216364"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients listens during a meeting with President Joe Biden&#8217;s &#8220;Investing in America Cabinet,&#8221; in the Roosevelt Room of the White House.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/AP23302724490566.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-216364"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients listens during a meeting with President Joe Biden's "Investing in America Cabinet," in the Roosevelt Room of the White House.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/AP23302724490566.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-216364"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients listens during a meeting with President Joe Biden&#8217;s &#8220;Investing in America Cabinet,&#8221; in the Roosevelt Room of the White House.</figcaption></figure>

“If he hadn’t already been concerned about what could go wrong with AI before that movie, he saw plenty more to worry about,” said Reed, who watched the film with the president.

“If he hadn’t already been concerned about what could go wrong with AI before that movie, he saw plenty more to worry about,” said Reed, who watched the film with the president.

Governments around the world have raced to establish protections, some of them tougher than Biden&#8217;s directives. After more than two years of deliberation, the EU is putting the final touches on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ai-act-artificial-intelligence-europe-regulation-94e2b38703b38fdbfabc9580f845ef9a">a comprehensive set of regulations</a>&nbsp;that targets the riskiest applications with the tightest restrictions. China, a key AI rival to the U.S., has also set some rules.

Governments around the world have raced to establish protections, some of them tougher than Biden's directives. After more than two years of deliberation, the EU is putting the final touches on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ai-act-artificial-intelligence-europe-regulation-94e2b38703b38fdbfabc9580f845ef9a">a comprehensive set of regulations</a>&nbsp;that targets the riskiest applications with the tightest restrictions. China, a key AI rival to the U.S., has also set some rules.

Governments around the world have raced to establish protections, some of them tougher than Biden&#8217;s directives. After more than two years of deliberation, the EU is putting the final touches on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ai-act-artificial-intelligence-europe-regulation-94e2b38703b38fdbfabc9580f845ef9a">a comprehensive set of regulations</a>&nbsp;that targets the riskiest applications with the tightest restrictions. China, a key AI rival to the U.S., has also set some rules.

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hopes to carve out a prominent role for Britain as an AI safety hub at a summit starting Wednesday that Vice President Kamala Harris&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-ai-artificial-intelligence-db8bbdc0e726f1993cced4b298eb8aa9">plans to attend</a>. And on Monday, officials from the Group of Seven major industrial nations agreed to a set of AI safety principles and a voluntary code of conduct for AI developers.

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hopes to carve out a prominent role for Britain as an AI safety hub at a summit starting Wednesday that Vice President Kamala Harris&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-ai-artificial-intelligence-db8bbdc0e726f1993cced4b298eb8aa9">plans to attend</a>. And on Monday, officials from the Group of Seven major industrial nations agreed to a set of AI safety principles and a voluntary code of conduct for AI developers.

The U.S., particularly its West Coast, is home to many of the leading developers of cutting-edge AI technology, including tech giants Google, Meta and Microsoft, and AI-focused startups such as OpenAI, maker of ChatGPT. The White House took advantage of that industry weight earlier this year when it secured commitments from those companies to implement safety mechanisms as they build new AI models.

The U.S., particularly its West Coast, is home to many of the leading developers of cutting-edge AI technology, including tech giants Google, Meta and Microsoft, and AI-focused startups such as OpenAI, maker of ChatGPT. The White House took advantage of that industry weight earlier this year when it secured commitments from those companies to implement safety mechanisms as they build new AI models.

But the White House also faced significant pressure from Democratic allies, including labor and civil rights groups, to make sure its policies reflected their concerns about AI’s real-world harms.

But the White House also faced significant pressure from Democratic allies, including labor and civil rights groups, to make sure its policies reflected their concerns about AI’s real-world harms.

Suresh Venkatasubramanian, a former Biden administration official who helped craft principles for approaching AI, said one of the biggest challenges within the federal government has been what to do about law enforcement’s use of AI tools, including at U.S. borders.

Suresh Venkatasubramanian, a former Biden administration official who helped craft principles for approaching AI, said one of the biggest challenges within the federal government has been what to do about law enforcement’s use of AI tools, including at U.S. borders.

Pelosi says Biden must decide ASAP whether to stay in the race: ‘Time is running short’

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Pelosi says Biden must decide ASAP whether to stay in the race: ‘Time is running short’

Breed says Biden should stay on presidential ticket: ‘He knows how to do it’

‘He needs to step down’: City’s political class reels from Biden debate disaster

Biden moves on AI safeguards with sweeping executive order

Biden to announce China fentanyl crackdown while in San Francisco: Report