Senior Democrats Urge Biden to Step Aside

Several senior members of President Joe Biden’s Democratic party are privately urging him to hand over his candidacy for the upcoming November election to another candidate, according to recent US media reports. This internal party dissent comes as scrutiny over Biden’s fitness for office intensifies.

During a group call with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, four congressmen explicitly suggested that Biden step aside, reports CBS News, the BBC’s US partner. Representatives Jerry Nadler, Mark Takano, Adam Smith, and Joe Morelle reportedly urged Biden to reconsider his candidacy, citing concerns about his recent debate performance and overall fitness for office.

Other Democrats on the call expressed similar concerns but stopped short of directly asking Biden to step down. These private appeals follow a recent debate where Biden stumbled over answers, raising questions about his age and cognitive abilities.

Despite the mounting pressure, Biden remains resolute in his decision to run for re-election. He has retained the support of many Democrats who believe he is the best candidate to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming election. Biden’s allies argue that his experience and track record make him a formidable opponent.

The return of lawmakers to Capitol Hill is expected to further intensify scrutiny of Biden’s candidacy. Additionally, Biden will be in the spotlight as he hosts a NATO leaders’ summit in Washington, D.C. in the coming days.

Media reports vary on which Democratic representatives were involved in the call with Jeffries. While CBS and the New York Times identify Morelle as the fourth congressman, the Associated Press suggests it was Jim Himes. These discrepancies highlight the sensitivity and secrecy surrounding the internal party discussions.

Long-standing concerns about Biden’s age and fitness for office have escalated since his debate performance against Trump. Various explanations from Biden’s camp, including claims of a cold and exhaustion from travel, have done little to assuage fears among some allies. Representative Lloyd Doggett was the first Democrat in Congress to publicly urge Biden to step aside, a sentiment echoed by others both publicly and privately.

Amid speculation about Biden’s candidacy, some Democrats are considering potential replacements. Vice-President Kamala Harris has garnered support, with Representative Adam Schiff suggesting she could decisively beat Trump. However, Schiff also refrained from directly calling for Biden to drop out.

Trump has seized on Biden’s perceived vulnerabilities, labeling him “broken-down” and suggesting that Harris would be a better, albeit “pathetic,” candidate.

Biden and his allies continue to assert his capability to win another term. In recent interviews, Biden acknowledged past mistakes but vowed to remain in the race, stating that only the “Lord Almighty” could convince him otherwise. He also declined to take a cognitive test to reassure voters of his fitness for office.

As the November election approaches, internal Democratic discussions and public speculations about Biden’s candidacy are likely to persist. The coming days and weeks will be crucial for Biden as he seeks to solidify his position and address concerns about his fitness to serve another term.