Democrat asks Joe Biden to quit running

Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) made headlines on Tuesday by becoming the first Democratic member of Congress to call on Joe Biden to give up his run for re-election. Doggett cited Biden’s poor performance in last week’s presidential debate as the primary reason for his recommendation.

In a detailed statement, Doggett acknowledged Biden’s leadership qualities but expressed concern over the president’s lagging performance in polls compared to former President Donald Trump and even some Democratic senators. The debate failed to give Biden the momentum he needed to shift the narrative in his favor, according to Doggett.

While many elected Democrats continue to stand behind Biden, there appears to be a growing sentiment within the party questioning whether Biden should remain the Democratic nominee. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi added to this speculation by suggesting Biden should participate in unscripted interviews with reporters to address concerns about his mental acuity.

During the debate, Biden’s responses were at times unfocused and disjointed, leading some Democrats like Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) to assert that Biden’s poor showing was not an isolated incident. Quigley expressed concern that Biden’s declining poll numbers could have a detrimental impact on all Democrats seeking re-election.

Doggett emphasized the importance of not risking a return to a “criminal” administration, pointing to the potential consequences of a Trump victory and the recent Supreme Court decision granting Trump immunity from prosecution for official acts as president. Doggett urged Biden to consider his 2020 statement about being a “bridge” to a new generation of leaders and make the difficult decision to withdraw from the race.

Despite Doggett’s public plea, Biden chose not to address the issue when asked by a reporter on Tuesday.

As the 2024 election cycle continues to unfold, Doggett’s call for Biden to step aside adds another layer of complexity to the political landscape. Will Biden heed the advice of his fellow Democrat, or will he push forward in his quest for re-election? The coming days are sure to bring further developments and insights into the future of the Democratic Party’s nomination process.