House Democrats Push Biden to Withdraw from 2024

Four additional House Democrats have joined the growing call for President Joe Biden to withdraw as the party’s nominee following a widely criticized debate performance. Reps. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), Mark Takano (D-Calif.), and Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) voiced their concerns during a recent discussion among Democratic lawmakers. This adds to the increasing pressure from both prominent anti-Trump politicians and some of Biden’s past supporters for him to step aside.

Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) urged Biden to leave the race after his interview with George Stephanopoulos of ABC News, criticizing his poor debate performance and weak response afterward. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) argued that Biden’s withdrawal is the only way to secure his legacy and avoid a disastrous outcome, while Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) expressed doubts about Biden’s ability to defeat former President Donald Trump, suggesting the need for new leadership.

Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) was the first to advocate for Biden’s withdrawal, expressing disappointment over Biden’s failure to effectively use the debate to his advantage. Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) later joined Doggett in calling for Biden to step down, emphasizing the president’s responsibility to exit the race. Julian Castro, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, supported the call for Biden to withdraw, proposing Vice President Kamala Harris as a suitable replacement. Similarly, former Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) argued that Harris represents the party’s best chance for future success.

Several wealthy Biden supporters, including billionaires Christy Walton, Michael Novogratz, and Reed Hastings, have urged Biden to reconsider his candidacy. Mark Cuban also suggested that Democrats should evaluate other potential candidates. Editorial boards of prominent publications, including The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Boston Globe, have urged Biden to withdraw. Columnists such as Thomas Friedman and Nicholas Kristof have also expressed concerns about Biden’s fitness for office, calling for an open process to select a new nominee.

New York Times columnist Paul Krugman and David Remnick of The New Yorker criticized Biden’s debate performance, with Krugman acknowledging potential backlash from Biden supporters. Washington Post columnist David Ignatius and Atlantic staff writer Mark Leibovich also voiced doubts about Biden’s capability to continue, describing his performance as disheartening. MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough suggested that if Biden were a CEO, his performance would likely lead to his dismissal. Chandler West, a former White House director of photography, echoed similar concerns on Instagram.

James Carville, a longtime Democratic consultant, expressed skepticism about Biden’s viability, suggesting he might end his campaign before Election Day. Andrew Yang, Biden’s former 2020 opponent, admitted he was wrong to have confidence in Biden’s debate performance, calling for an end to his candidacy. Cenk Uygur, host of The Young Turks, advocated for discussions on potential replacements immediately after the debate.

Some Democrats have expressed cautious skepticism about Biden’s future without directly calling for his resignation. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. James Clyburn have suggested potential replacements while still supporting Biden. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear also maintained his support but acknowledged that only Biden can make the decision about his candidacy.

In response to the criticism, Biden defended himself vigorously. Appearing in Raleigh, North Carolina, he acknowledged his diminished debate performance but contrasted himself with Trump, emphasizing his commitment to honesty. Biden explained his hoarse voice as a result of a sore throat and maintained that he is still capable of leading.

The recent presidential debate was seen as a crucial moment for Biden to reassure voters about his age and fitness for office. However, his performance was widely criticized, leading to internal Democratic discussions about the possibility of replacing him on the ticket.

There is no formal process for replacing Biden if he doesn’t voluntarily step aside. He has secured nearly 3,900 of the 4,000 available delegates, who are technically bound to vote for him at the Democratic convention. If Biden were to withdraw before the convention, his delegates could select a new nominee. Alternatively, if he withdraws after the convention, the Democratic National Committee could convene to choose a replacement. Vice President Kamala Harris is a likely candidate, with other names like Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and California Governor Gavin Newsom also being considered.