Biden's devastating month stokes midterm fears among Democrats

President Joe Biden is mired in the most devastating month of his tenure in office - struggling to contain a deadly crisis in Afghanistan, an unyielding pandemic and other setbacks that have sent waves of anger and worry through his party as his poll numbers decline.

August started with Democrats sounding quiet alarms about the resurgence of the coronavirus and the uncertain fate of Biden's domestic priorities, tempered by some optimism about the economy and a bipartisan infrastructure deal.

But the month nears its conclusion with sirens blaring about Biden's strategy in Afghanistan, where 13 Americans were killed this past week, as well as heightening concern about covid-19. These anxieties have set off a fresh round of intraparty finger-pointing.

Many Democrats increasingly fear that the tenets of Biden's presidency - competence, calm and control - can credibly be called into question for the first time, potentially laying a foundation for devastating consequences in the 2022 midterm elections.

"I just worry about his ability to achieve his agenda," said John Jackson, the chairman of the DeKalb County Democrats in Georgia, a midterm battleground.