9th House Democrat this week calls for Biden's candidacy withdrawal
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Concerns regarding Biden's ability and age to defeat Republican candidate Donald Trump were raised by several lawmakers during the closed-door House Democrat meeting on Tuesday.
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Joe Biden at the White House on July 1, 2024 (AFP)
United States Representative Mikie Sherrill called for Joe Biden's withdrawal from the presidential elections following a meeting on Tuesday morning, becoming the ninth House Democrat to take this action this week.
"The stakes are too high — and the threat is too real — to stay silent," Sherrill said in a statement, adding that Biden should refocus his efforts toward appointing a new Democratic candidate.
Sherrill also expressed her admiration for Biden and his administration for being "true public servants" and highlighted her confidence in the President's care for the country's future, while urging him to step down from his candidacy.
Concerns regarding Biden's ability and age to defeat Republican candidate Donald Trump were raised by several lawmakers during the closed-door House Democrat meeting, NBC News reported, citing sources in the room.
In a public letter addressed to congressional Democrats on Monday, Biden stated he would not be dropping out of the race, adding, "The voters have spoken clearly and decisively."
This comes as several Democratic lawmakers have retracted their support for the current president, such as Rep. Jerry Nadler, who urged Biden to step down during a phone call on Sunday.
Sen. Michael Bennet stated in an interview for CNN on Tuesday that he does not think Biden can defeat Trump in the upcoming elections, adding Democrats could potentially lose their power in the House, Senate, and the White House.
"Donald Trump is on track, I think, to win this election and maybe win it by a landslide, and take with him the Senate and the House," Bennet said. "So for me, this isn’t a question about polling. It’s not a question about politics. It’s a moral question about the future of our country, and I think it’s critically important for us to come to grips with what we face if together, we put this country on the path of electing Donald Trump again."
Top House representative urges Biden to withdraw from presidential bid
Congressman Adam Smith, a top-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives, called on Biden to withdraw his candidacy on Monday for the upcoming United States presidential elections, following the current president's faltered performance in the first debate.
"The president’s performance in the debate was alarming to watch and the American people have made it clear they no longer see him as a credible candidate to serve four more years as president," Smith said in a statement.
The congressman's appeal came as a response to Biden's rejection of the Democratic Party's letter urging him to step down, as well as his determination to continue his candidacy in an unscheduled phone interview on the Morning Joe show.
The president also blamed his current state on Democratic officials.
Following the presidential debate, an opinion poll revealed that 60% of voters want Biden to withdraw his nomination due to his inability to be an effective candidate and president for another term, a point Smith stressed.
“Personally, I think Kamala Harris [the vice-president] would be a much better, stronger candidate,” Smith said in an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper, adding that Biden was "not the best person to carry the Democratic message."
Smith indirectly criticized his Democratic colleagues who disregarded Biden's performance at the debate as "one bad night." However, the House representative reiterated his support for the President should he continue his candidacy.
25 House Democrats preparing to call for Biden to step aside
Some elected Democrats who support Biden raised new concerns last Tuesday about his campaign for re-election in 2024, with one suggesting he should consider stepping down. This marks a change after many had previously defended him following his uncertain performance in the first presidential debate.
According to Democrats and political strategists, the decision whether Biden proceeds with his 2024 presidential bid, following his less-than-stellar debate against Republican candidate Donald Trump, largely rests with him.
Some donors are urging Biden to consider stepping down, and other Democrats are openly expressing concerns that he may not be capable of defeating Trump in November.
According to one House Democratic aide, 25 Democratic members of the House of Representatives are ready to call for Biden to step aside if his performance continues to falter in the coming days. Another House Democratic aide mentioned that moderate Democrats in competitive districts, often referred to as "frontliners", are facing intense scrutiny and questions from their constituents this week.
After the debate, a Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed that one-third of Democrats believe Biden should halt his re-election campaign. US Representative Lloyd Doggett became the initial congressional Democrat to advocate for Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race on July 2. In an interview for NBC News, he expressed his wish for other Democratic legislators to join him in this stance.
