An increasing number of legislators are publicly pushing President Joe Biden to reevaluate his run for reelection, raising concerns about the president’s potential to defeat a resurgent Donald Trump in the upcoming November election.
Representative Earl Blumenauer of Oregon joined the clamor on Wednesday, becoming the ninth Democrat in the House to demand that Biden resign. Blumenauer, who is expected to step down at the end of his current Congressional term, praised Biden for a number of accomplishments, ranging from tackling global issues to leading the way in the adoption of landmark legislation on climate change and economic recovery. He did, however, stress that the pressing topic was whether the 81-year-old commander in chief should continue with his campaign, suggesting that his resignation would safeguard American democracy as a whole.
Representatives Lloyd Doggett of Texas, Raúl Grijalva of Arizona, and Seth Moulton of Massachusetts are just a few of the prominent Democrats who have expressed similar views – highlighting a widespread concern that Biden’s candidacy might put a Democratic hold on Congress as well as the White House in jeopardy.
The wave of concern extends beyond Capitol Hill. Hollywood superstar George Clooney, who recently held a sizable fundraiser for Biden, also wrote an opinion piece in The New York Times stating that the president ought to withdraw from the race. Clooney made an especially moving plea, recalling his recent encounters with Biden and pointing out a discernible change in the president’s acuity from his previous years in office. Many in the Democratic elite reportedly concur with Clooney’s position because, according to Clooney, they have expressed such concerns in private; they worry over Biden’s chances of winning the presidency.
During a recent appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Nancy Pelosi, the former Speaker of the House, made a direct statement highlighting the seriousness of the situation and stating that “time is running short” for the president to make a decision. She also reaffirmed her support for Biden, regardless of his decision.
Senator Peter Welch of Vermont, the first Democratic senator to have called for Biden’s withdrawal, highlighted the many demands made on Biden during his career and presented his call as a duty to the country in an opinion piece for The Washington Post. In a similar vein, Virginia Senator Tim Kaine appealed to Biden’s common sense by implying that the president would eventually “do the patriotic thing for the country.”
On the other hand, several progressive voices, like Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have declared the matter settled, arguing that Biden is the party’s nominee and deserves their full backing.
Biden’s strategy appears to be focused on buying time so as to make the logistical implementation of any succession more challenging. Many Democrats saw his performance at Thursday’s NATO press conference as a crucial turning point and potential last test of the durability of his candidacy. The party’s sense of urgency has only grown as a result of the Cook Political Report’s recent revision of its Electoral College predictions in favor of Trump.
Aware of the growing discontent, the Biden team is making an effort to reassure lawmakers and voters. Democratic senators will receive briefings from senior White House advisors and campaign staffers, who will address their concerns and lay out a winning strategy. But Biden’s lack of presence in these crucial discussions has prompted more inquiries about his direct interactions with his former Senate colleagues.
