President Joe Biden will withdraw from the 2024 presidential race and discussions are happening to decide if he should resign from office prior to the end of his term, possibly even before the election.
Biden is expected to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race amid growing concerns about his cognitive abilities and declining support within the Democratic Party. Discussions are reportedly taking place regarding the possibility of Biden resigning from office before the end of his term, potentially even before the upcoming election.
The decision follows recent comments by Nancy Pelosi about Biden’s acuity and internal Democratic swing state polls leaked to Puck News, which show the President losing critical support in key battlegrounds.
For the first time, Biden is also polling behind Vice President Kamala Harris. These developments have prompted calls from several prominent Democrats for Biden to step aside.
Rep. Lloyd Doggett was the first Democratic lawmaker to publicly urge Biden to withdraw. In a statement on Tuesday, Doggett expressed hope that Biden would “make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw,” emphasizing the need for new leadership to unite the country.
Keith Oberman said that discussions are underway regarding Biden’s potential withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, including whether he should resign from office before his term ends, possibly even before the election.
A significant number of House Democrats are also pushing for Biden to transition out of the race and is considering the possibility of his early resignation.
According to a Democratic lawmaker who spoke to CBS News, this group spans a broad swath of the Democratic caucus and is concerned about Biden’s ability to secure re-election. They hope Biden will facilitate the search for a new candidate.
Despite these calls, the Biden campaign has firmly stated that the President will not step aside. However, the debate performance has heightened concerns among elected Democrats, with some openly questioning Biden’s capacity to serve another term.
Of greater importance to those in the political establishment is whether anyone as weak as Biden at the top of the ticket will depress turnout enough to cause them to lose, even where Democrats usually command strong support.
New Jersey is one such place, and sources say Rep. Andy Kim is eager to swap out the incumbent for California Governor Gavin Newsom or Vice President Kamala Harris.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island described the debate as “horrifying” and urged the Biden campaign to reassure the public about the President’s condition. Rep. Mike Quigley of Illinois suggested that Biden’s decision would have far-reaching implications for the Democratic Party’s future.
Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota has communicated her concerns to Biden’s campaign, emphasizing the need for the President to demonstrate his capability to run for re-election through more unscripted public appearances.
Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont criticized the Biden campaign’s dismissive attitude towards those raising concerns about Biden’s performance and called for an open discussion within the party.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear stated his continued support for Biden as long as he remains in the race. Biden is expected to meet with Democratic governors on Wednesday to reassure party leaders following the debate.
Political commentator Ryan Grim noted that the Democratic Party faces a significant challenge as internal concerns about Biden’s fitness for office grow. He highlighted the risks to individual Democratic candidates who may face criticism for supporting Biden despite apparent cognitive decline.
Grim argued for an open convention to allow a new candidate to emerge through a transparent and democratic process, warning that anointing a successor without such a process could be detrimental.
As the Democratic Party navigates this complex situation, the upcoming months will be critical in determining the path forward for both the party and the President.