After Joe Biden’s poor performance in his first debate against Donald Trump, concerns regarding his age and fitness for office have intensified.
The US president now faces increasing calls to step down as the Democratic nominee for the upcoming election in November.
Biden has rebuffed these calls, telling MSNBC that “elites in the party” are behind the push for his resignation. He claimed to have robust support from actual voters and challenged his party’s sceptics to “run against me. Go ahead. Announce for president – challenge me at the convention!”
While no one has formally announced a challenge yet, a growing number of elected Democratic officials have either publicly or privately called for Biden to step aside. Here are some of them:
Lloyd Doggett (Texas)
The Texas veteran was the first to speak out, stating last week: “Recognising that, unlike [Donald] Trump, President Biden’s first commitment has always been to our country, not himself, I am hopeful that he will make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw. I respectfully call on him to do so.”
Raúl Grijalva (Arizona)
A senior progressive from a battleground state, Grijalva holds significant influence within his party. Following Doggett, the 76-year-old told the New York Times: “What [Biden] needs to do is shoulder the responsibility for keeping that seat – and part of that responsibility is to get out of this race.” Grijalva also emphasised the necessity for Democrats to win the race and maintain control of the House and Senate, warning that failing to do so would result in the party’s achievements under Biden going “down the sewer.”
Seth Moulton (Massachusetts)
The former US Marine, who briefly challenged Biden for the nomination in 2020, told a Boston radio station: “President Biden has done enormous service to our country, but now is the time for him to follow in one of our founding fathers, George Washington’s, footsteps and step aside to let new leaders rise up.” Moulton reiterated his stance, citing the debate as a “disaster.”
Mike Quigley (Illinois)
Speaking to MSNBC on Friday, Quigley said: “Mr. President, your legacy is set. We owe you the greatest debt of gratitude. The only thing that you can do now to cement that for all time and prevent utter catastrophe is to step down and let someone else do this.”
Angie Craig (Minnesota)
On Saturday, the congresswoman remarked: “Given what I saw and heard from the president during last week’s debate in Atlanta, coupled with the lack of a forceful response from the president himself following that debate, I do not believe that the president can effectively campaign and win against Donald Trump. That’s why I respectfully call on President Biden to step aside as the Democratic nominee for a second term as president and allow for a new generation of leaders to step forward.”
Adam Smith (Washington)
On Monday, the congressman stated: “That candidate must be able to clearly, articulately, and strongly make his or her case to the American people. It is clear that President Biden is no longer able to meet this burden.” In an interview with CNN, he also implored Biden: “I’m pleading with him − take a step back. Look at what’s best for the party, look at what’s best for the country.”
Reported: Jerry Nadler (New York), Mark Takano (California), Joe Morelle (New York)
According to multiple reports, on Sunday, these three senior Democrats, along with Smith, used a private call arranged by Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader, to urge Biden to stand down. Others on the call reportedly expressed serious concerns but stopped short of calling for Biden to quit.
(With information from The Guardian)
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