A quintessential career politician, Joe Biden's personal fortunes have always been closely linked with political success - as his family members can doubtless attest.
But suddenly, Biden is facing widening skepticism from his own party, from the elites at the top to struggling union workers - leaving the Biden "crime family" facing a potential fall from grace.
Perhaps Biden's most glaring vulnerability is the nagging question about his fitness and age, which has led to endless speculation of his replacement.
A leading pro-Biden columnist, David Ignatius, urged Biden not to seek re-election in a recent column - touching on a sensitive subject that has largely been kept under wraps in the media.
Circumstances may continue to evolve faster than Biden and his backers can keep up. Biden is staking his re-election on "Bidenomics," but inflation is eating away at the paychecks of workers, creating a disconnect between the White House and voters.
The "most pro union president ever" is facing one of the most significant challenges yet to his base of support with the ongoing United Auto Workers (UAW) strike, which has brought a tension between the Democratic party's traditional blue-collar base and its elite donor class to the fore.
While unions are historically a Democrat bastion, Donald Trump has sought to target discontent with Biden's economy and his electric car agenda, which is fueling the UAW strike.
Democrats are concerned Biden has mishandled the crisis, creating an opening for Trump, who is visiting Detroit for a speech next week.
“Trump scooped us. Now if we announce we’re going, it looks like we’re just going because of Trump,” said a national Democratic strategist. “We waited too long. That’s the challenge."
Striking auto workers told the New York Times that inflation "had so undercut their wages that they felt pushed out of the middle class, laying the blame with Mr. Biden."
But the White House has told supporters that Biden will win re-election by thumping on "democracy," abortion and the economy, Axios reported.
Those assurances have left some allies with the impression that the administration is overconfident, the report said.
Other challenges Biden faces include an impeachment inquiry, mounting questions about his role in his family's business deals, and an escalating immigration crisis of his own making.
After dipping for a few months, border crossings are surging once again, and the influx in cities like New York has drawn negative attention to Biden's border policies.
