A growing number of House Democrats are calling for President Joe Biden to drop out of the 2024 presidential race. This movement gained momentum as five more representatives joined the chorus, citing concerns over Biden's ability to lead effectively.
The call comes after Biden's perceived frail performance in a recent debate against former President Donald Trump.
MSNBC has a "running list" of dems calling for Biden to leave-30 names.
Total House dems=213
Total Senate dems=47
Total Dems in Congress=260
% calling for Biden to leave=12%
Stop lisenting. They're blowing this WAY out of proportion. https://t.co/WWmKkFXdei— Madge đ» (@Madge1428) July 19, 2024
On July 2, Texas Rep. Lloyd Doggett was the first Democrat to publicly request Biden to withdraw. Doggett emphasized that Biden’s primary commitment has always been to the country, urging him to step aside for the nation's benefit. Following Doggett, Reps. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), Mark Takano (D-Calif.), and Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) also called for Biden to reconsider his candidacy.
These calls come in the wake of Biden's shaky debate performance on June 27, where he struggled to articulate his points and appeared frail.
Oh nothing, just the House Dems who came out against Biden getting millions from a Ted Cruz donor & RFK Jr. fan.
Probably a total coincidence theyâre members of the No Labels Problem Solvers Caucus, of which Dean Phillips is a member too. đ€·đ»ââïž https://t.co/dd9neay5gA pic.twitter.com/ZigE0H1USX
— Ms. M đ©đ»âđ» Google Project 2025 (@MsMalarkey24) July 12, 2024
Despite addressing his performance the next day with more vigor, the damage was done, prompting moderate House Democrats to question his viability as a candidate.
A second House Democratic aide noted that moderate Democrats in competitive districts faced intense scrutiny from their constituents following the debate, amplifying internal party pressure on Biden. The sentiment is echoed by several party members who fear that Biden's age and apparent physical decline could jeopardize the party's chances in the upcoming election.
In a high-stakes interview scheduled with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos, Biden aims to address these concerns directly. However, the rising internal dissent suggests that even a strong performance may not quell the growing unease within his party.
This development underscores the deepening divide within the Democratic Party as it grapples with the strategic implications of Biden's potential second term. The party faces a critical decision as it navigates the political landscape leading up to the 2024 election, with some members advocating for a new candidate to lead the charge against the Republicans .
