First Democratic Rep. calls on Biden to drop out after debate
Rep. Lloyd Doggett made headlines this week by becoming the first Democratic lawmaker to call on President Biden to drop out of the presidential race due to his recent debate performance. Doggett, a Texas Democrat who has served in Congress for nearly three decades, expressed concerns about Biden’s ability to win November’s election. While the Biden campaign has firmly stated that the president will not step aside, Doggett’s comments mark a shift in sentiment among some elected Democrats.
Despite the majority of elected Democrats continuing to support Biden and attributing his debate performance to a bad night, a few cracks have begun to show within the party. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island voiced his horror at the debate but also highlighted the opportunity for the Biden campaign to strengthen its position against Donald Trump. Similarly, Rep. Mike Quigley of Illinois hinted at the need for a decision to be made regarding the presidential ticket, emphasizing the long-term implications of such a choice.
Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota stressed the importance of the president himself deciding whether to step aside, outlining specific criteria she believes Biden must meet to continue seeking reelection. Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont criticized the Biden campaign for dismissing concerns raised by party members, calling for a more open discussion on the matter. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, on the other hand, reiterated his support for Biden as long as the president remains in the race.
In response to the growing concerns, President Biden is slated to meet with Democratic governors to address the situation directly. The outreach from the president’s team following the debate has been primarily orchestrated by aides and advisers, indicating a concerted effort to reassure elected officials and retain party support.
Regardless of the outcome of these discussions, one thing is clear – the dynamics of the upcoming election have been significantly altered by the debate and subsequent fallout. With various members of the Democratic party expressing reservations about President Biden’s candidacy, the weeks leading up to November promise to be filled with uncertainty and potential change.
