MONTAGE: Democrats, media members say 'I love Joe Biden' but...

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In a New York Times guest essay this week that sent shockwaves through Hollywood and Washington, George Clooney reminded readers he had great affection for the man he wants to dump from the presidential ticket.

"I love Joe Biden," Clooney wrote. "As a senator. As a vice president and as president. I consider him a friend, and I believe in him. Believe in his character. Believe in his morals. In the last four years, he’s won many of the battles he’s faced."

But then came that word, "but."

"But the one battle he cannot win is the fight against time. None of us can. It’s devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fund-raiser was not the Joe "big F-ing deal" Biden of 2010. He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate."

Just like that, Clooney called on his dear friend to leave the race. In doing so, he joined a horde of other liberal media members and an increasing number of prominent Democrats who are afraid Biden can't defeat former President Trump, even as the polls continue to show a tight contest.

BIDEN CALLS INTO ‘MORNING JOE,’ REMAINS DEFIANT ABOUT STAYING IN THE RACE: ‘I AM NOT GOING ANYWHERE’

Many of them, Fox News Digital has noted, have insisted they "love Joe Biden" and it's nothing personal. Others who haven't called on him to leave have also used the mantra.

The night of Biden's frail,