Pelosi’s admission about Biden’s health leads to drop in Democrat support
After President Biden’s lackluster performance in a recent debate against former President Trump, top national Democrats are voicing their concerns about his candidacy.
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., acknowledged on MSNBC that discussions about Biden’s mental health are legitimate. Following her statement, several prominent figures on the left expressed doubts about the president’s fitness for office.
Julian Castro, former Obama administration Housing and Urban Development Secretary, suggested that another Democrat would have a better chance of beating Trump. He stated, “I believe that another Democrat would have a better shot at beating Trump. … I think Democrats would be wise to find another candidate.”
Adam Frisch, who is running to flip Rep. Lauren Boebert’s Colorado district from red to blue, went a step further by calling on Biden to step aside. He expressed, “It has been clear to me for some time, and the debate only reinforced it, neither candidate should be running for president. We deserve better. President Biden should do what’s best for the country and withdraw from the race.”
Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, became the first sitting House Democrat to outright call for Biden to end his campaign. Doggett mentioned in a statement that his decision wasn’t made lightly and called on Biden to withdraw from the race.
Sen. Pete Welch, D-Vt., a staunch Biden ally, acknowledged on MSNBC that the door should be left open to other Democrat candidates. He mentioned Biden’s unsteady performance in the debate, raising concerns about his physical condition, and stated that Democrats beating Trump was of utmost importance.
While Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., did not call for Biden to step aside, he mentioned his support for Vice President Harris as a potential replacement if Biden decided to withdraw.
Pelosi emphasized that questioning Biden’s and Trump’s fitness for office is a legitimate concern. She praised Biden’s record over the last four years but acknowledged the public’s growing worry about the 81-year-old president’s ability to lead.
Despite the doubts raised, Biden has not indicated any intention to step aside. His campaign highlighted a significant fundraising haul, aiming to address concerns. However, questions have continued to mount following his lackluster debate performance, including stumbling over answers and appearing less sharp compared to previous encounters with Trump.
A CBS News and YouGov poll indicated that nearly three-quarters of Democrat voters doubt Biden’s cognitive health. Additionally, a USA Today/Suffolk University poll showed Trump leading Biden among nationwide voters.
As the debate over Biden’s candidacy intensifies, the future of the Democratic Party’s presidential campaign remains uncertain. Time will tell how the party navigates these challenges and whether Biden’s campaign can recover from recent setbacks.
