Democrat lawmakers mulling asking Biden to step down
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Democratic lawmakers are considering sending a letter to US President Joe Biden urging him to step down from the presidential race.
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US President Joe Biden speaks during a presidential debate with Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia, the United States (AP)
Dozens of Democratic congressmen are contemplating writing a letter urging US President Joe Biden to withdraw from the upcoming presidential race following the recent debate, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday.
According to a senior party official cited in the report, Democratic lawmakers running for reelection in traditionally Democratic districts are circulating the letter. These candidates are concerned that Biden’s continued candidacy could jeopardize their chances, potentially leading to a Republican sweep in Washington.
Meanwhile, 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.
The report suggests growing panic within the party as candidates fear the implications of Biden’s candidacy on their reelection bids and the overall control of Congress. The internal turmoil highlights the significant stakes and pressures facing the Democratic Party as they approach the 2024 election.
In light of the concerns, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates firmly denied earlier media reports claiming that President Biden had told a key ally he was considering dropping out of the presidential race. Bates emphasized that President Biden remains committed to his campaign and has no intention of stepping aside.
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, there are 25 Democratic members of the House of Representatives who 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 "front liners", are facing intense scrutiny and questions from their constituents this week.
On Tuesday, Lloyd Doggett became the first Democratic US lawmaker to publicly urge Joe Biden to withdraw from the race for the White House, citing the President's lackluster performance in last week's presidential debate.
"Recognizing that, unlike 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," the Texas congressman said in a statement.
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 Tuesday. In an interview for NBC News, he expressed his wish for other Democratic legislators to join him in this stance.
Biden's challenges have extended beyond his immediate advisors, with some US officials accusing him of being complicit in the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza. This reflects growing criticism within political circles regarding US foreign policy and its implications for the ongoing war on Gaza.
