The debate performance between Joe Biden and Donald Trump has prompted some elected Democrats to express doubts about Biden’s 2024 re-election bid.
While many previously defended him, recent concerns have led to calls for him to consider stepping aside. Ultimately, the decision on whether Biden continues his presidential bid rests with him, according to Democrats and political strategists.
The pressure on Biden is intensifying, with donors and some Democrats openly expressing concerns about his ability to defeat Trump in the upcoming election.
According to reports, there are 25 Democratic members of the House of Representatives ready to call for Biden to step aside if his performance continues to appear shaky.
Donald Trump
Moderate House Democrats in competitive districts, known as “frontliners,” are particularly feeling the impact, facing significant scrutiny and questions from constituents about Biden’s candidacy this week.
U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett’s call for Biden to withdraw from the presidential race marks a significant development, as he became the first congressional Democrat to make such a statement.
His comments indicate a shift in sentiment within the party, with expectations that other Democratic lawmakers may now follow suit. This development suggests increasing pressure on Biden’s candidacy within the Democratic ranks.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi highlighted Joe Biden’s legislative achievements in an interview with MSNBC on Tuesday, while acknowledging the legitimacy of questioning whether his debate performance was an isolated incident or indicative of broader health concerns.
Pelosi also emphasized that scrutiny should be equally applied to Donald Trump in this regard. This balanced approach underscores the ongoing evaluation within the Democratic Party regarding Biden’s candidacy and his ability to face Trump in the upcoming election.
“I think it’s a legitimate question to say, ‘Is this an episode or is this a condition?’ And so when people ask that question, it’s legitimate, of both candidates,” Pelosi said.
Immediately after the debate, Pelosi had shown strong support.
“Joe Biden’s decision to go forward is a decision that we will all embrace because of the record he has and the performance that will come with it,” she said then.
Joe Biden
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Tuesday that Biden did not have an “episode,” just a bad night.
Vice President Kamala Harris, asked in an interview about Doggett’s demand, said:
“Look, Joe Biden is our nominee. We beat Trump once and we’re gonna beat him. Period.”
At a campaign event in Virginia on Tuesday evening, Joe Biden addressed his debate performance without a teleprompter, attributing his shaky performance to a lack of sleep. He also announced that his campaign had raised $38 million since the debate, highlighting continued support despite recent criticisms of his debate showing.
“The fact is that you know, I wasn’t very smart. I decided to travel around the world a couple times, going through around 100 time zones … before … the debate. Didn’t listen to my staff and came back and nearly fell asleep on stage,” he said. “That’s no excuse but it is an explanation.”
“He has to be honest with himself,” Democratic Representative Mike Quigley, a moderate from Illinois, told on Tuesday. “It’s his decision. I just want him to appreciate at this time just how much it impacts, not just his race, but all the other races coming in November.”
U.S. Representative Jim Clyburn, who played a crucial role in securing Joe Biden’s nomination in 2020, stated on MSNBC Tuesday that he would support Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee if Biden were to step aside. This indicates a significant shift in support within Biden’s own party.
Meanwhile, Representative Jared Golden of Maine, a Democrat, expressed a pessimistic view on Tuesday by predicting that Donald Trump would win the election.
Similarly, Washington state Democratic Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez echoed these concerns.
Their remarks underscore growing uncertainty and apprehension within some Democratic circles regarding Biden’s electability against Trump.
