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Said Biden should step aside

Brittany Pettersen

Representative, Colorado

With deep appreciation and love, @joebiden please pass the torch. July 12

Hillary Scholten

Representative, Michigan

It has become clear over the last several weeks that a change needs to be made. July 11

Previous statement

We have heard concerns from people who saw the president on Thursday night. I felt concerned and raised those concerns. July 1

Greg Stanton

Representative, Arizona

For our countrys sake, it is time for the president to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders. July 11

Scott Peters

Representative, California

Today I ask President Biden to withdraw from the presidential campaign. The stakes are high, and we are on a losing course. July 11

Previous statement

The question just now is, is this a candidate who can win the election? Because as much as I love Joe Biden, in those swing states, hes having a hard time. July 3

Eric Sorensen

Representative, Illinois

In 2020, Joe Biden ran for President with the purpose of putting country over party. Today, I am asking him to do that again. July 11

Brad Schneider

Representative, Illinois

I fear if he fails to make the right choice, our democracy will hang in the balance. July 11

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez

Representative, Washington

Americans deserve to feel their president is fit enough to do the job. The crisis of confidence in the Presidents leadership needs to come to an end. July 11

Previous statement

We all saw what we saw. You cant undo that. July 2*

Jim Himes

Representative, Connecticut

We must put forth the strongest candidate possible to confront the threat posed by Trumps promised MAGA authoritarianism. I no longer believe that is Joe Biden. July 11

Ed Case

Representative, Hawaii

This is solely about the future, about the presidents ability to continue in the most difficult job in the world for another four-year term. July 11

Peter Welch

Senator, Vermont

For the good of the country, Im calling on President Biden to withdraw from the race. July 10

Previous statement

I really do criticize the campaign for a dismissive attitude towards people who are raising questions for discussion. July 1

Pat Ryan

Representative, New York

For the good of our country, for my two young kids, Im asking Joe Biden to step aside in the upcoming election and deliver on the promise to be a bridge to a new generation of leaders. July 10

Earl Blumenauer

Representative, Oregon

While this is a decision for the president and the first lady, I hope they will come to the conclusion that I and others have: President Biden should not be the Democratic presidential nominee. July 10

Antonio Delgado

Lieutenant Governor, New York

He can add to his legacy, showing his strength and grace, by ending his campaign and making room for a new leader. July 10

Mikie Sherrill

Representative, New Jersey

And because I know President Biden cares deeply about the future of our country, I am asking that he declare that he wont run for reelection and will help lead us through a process toward a new nominee. July 9

Adam Smith

Representative, Washington

I think its become clear that hes not the best person to carry the Democratic message. July 8

Angie Craig

Representative, Minnesota

I do not believe that the President can effectively campaign and win against Donald Trump. July 6

Lloyd Doggett

Representative, Texas

The need for him to step aside is more urgent tonight than when I first called for it on Tuesday. July 5

Mike Quigley

Representative, Illinois

I would say: Mr. President, your legacy is set. We owe you the greatest debt of gratitude. The only thing that you can do now to cement that for all time and prevent utter catastrophe is to step down and let someone else do this. July 5

Previous statement

It has to be his decision. We have to be honest with ourselves. It wasnt just a horrible night. July 2

Seth Moulton

Representative, Massachusetts

President Biden has done enormous service to our country, but now is the time for him to follow in one of our founding father, George Washingtons footsteps and step aside to let new leaders rise up and run against Donald Trump. July 4

Previous statement

I deeply respect President Biden and all the great things he has done for America, but I have grave concerns about his ability to defeat Donald Trump. July 3

Ral M. Grijalva

Representative, Arizona

What he needs to do is shoulder the responsibility for keeping that seat and part of that responsibility is to get out of this race. July 3

Marianne Williamson

2024 Democratic presidential candidate

The time is now for another Democratic candidate to take his place on the November ballot. July 2

Julin Castro

Former Housing and Urban Development secretary

Another Democrat would have a better shot at beating Trump. July 2

Tim Ryan

Former Representative, Ohio

After deep reflection over these past few days, I strongly believe that our best path forward is Kamala Harris. July 1

Tom Harkin

Former Senator, Iowa

I think the president should step aside and let the convention pick a new candidate. June 30*

R.T. Rybak

Former D.N.C. vice chair

It is absolutely not too late to pick a new candidate. June 30

Expressed concern

Jeff Merkley

Senator, Oregon

I think you should ask Joe Biden if he can win. July 11,answering the question of whether he thinks the president can prevail in November.

Ritchie Torres

Representative, New York

The President did not just have one bad debate. The reality we saw with our own lying eyes is evidence of a deeper challenge. July 11

Gerald E. Connolly

Representative, Virginia

Polling data is not encouraging right now, and I hope the White House takes that into account as well. July 11

Previous statement

I dont think we know that yet. July 5,answering the question of whether Biden still gives his party the best chance to win in November.

Read this article:
Which Democrats Have Called for Biden to Drop Out of the Race? - The New York Times

At least three congressional Democrats called for President Biden to exit the presidential race in the immediate aftermath of a solo news conference held at the end of the NATO summit Thursday.

Though he verbally stumbled at points and at one point referred to Vice President Harris as Vice President Trump, Biden displayed a strong command of foreign policy and national security issues during a 50-minute session in which he answered questions on a wide range of national and global matters.

Still, some congressional Democrats were not convinced by his performance.

Just moments after the briefing ended, Rep. Jim Himes (Conn.), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, called for Biden to end his bid, saying the presidents legacy of unparalleled public service, undeniable achievement, and unconditional patriotism is at risk if he does not step away from the campaign.

The 2024 election will define the future of American democracy, and we must put forth the strongest candidate possible to confront the threat posed by Trumps promised MAGA authoritarianism, Himes said. I no longer believe that is Joe Biden, and I hope that, as he has throughout a lifetime of public service, he will continue to put our nation first and, as he promised, make way for a new generation of leaders.

After President Bidens news conference on July 11, Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) called for Biden to step away from the presidential race in an interview on CNN. (Video: CNN)

Democratic Rep. Eric Sorensen, who is running in a competitive Illinois district, said he is hopeful that Biden will put country over party and step aside in his campaign for President.

And Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.) who just Tuesday had told reporters he believed Biden deserves reelection in a statement first obtained by Politico said that while the nation owes an enormous debt of gratitude to Biden for saving us from a second term of a Trump Presidency in 2020, the president should now withdraw from the campaign because the stakes are high, and we are on a losing course.

As of Thursday night, 20 congressional Democrats have either publicly or privately urged Biden to step aside since his faltering debate performance two weeks ago, fearing he will lose the White House to former president Donald Trump and endanger the partys gains in the House and Senate.

During the briefing, Biden insisted to reporters that hes not in the race to protect his legacy, but rather to complete the job I started. And while he insisted he is running, Biden acknowledged that he must reassure not only the American public but also members of his own party that he will be able to win the election.

Im determined on running, but I think its important that I allay fears, Biden said.

President Biden sought to reassure Democrats at a news conference on July 11 that he is fit to remain in the presidential race. (Video: The Washington Post)

Bidens performance Thursday may have led to some defections but other congressional Democrats doubled down on their support for the president. Many of them were from safe seats where their individual reelection hopes are all but assured.

Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) told CNN after the news conference that he believes Biden convinced a lot of people he should stay in the race. And Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) said Biden demonstrated how a world leader with his hand firmly on the tiller of our ship of state manages the country, U.S. national security interests and the naysayers.

Lets go Joe! Rep. Nikema Williams, chair of the Georgia Democratic Party, posted on X.

Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.) said Biden again showed he knows a million times more about policy than the convict conman.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Tex.), who is running for reelection after losing the Houston mayoral contest, said Biden knocked this press conference out of the park.

And no additional senator immediately emerged to ask Biden to step aside in the news conferences wake.

Tonight President Biden was knowledgeable, engaging, and capable, said Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), the co-chair of Bidens reelection campaign. He displayed a level of depth on foreign policy that Donald Trump has never and could never. No one is more prepared to lead our nation forward than Joe Biden.

Theodoric Meyer contributed to this report.

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A handful of Hill Democrats break with Biden after news conference - The Washington Post

The one thing the Democratic Party absolutely cannot do is surrender the presidency to Donald Trump without a proper fight. Trump can be beaten. Democrats must either go all-in on President Bidens reelection or nominate someone else, probably Vice President Harris. Whatever they do, they have to mean it.

Bidens attempt on Monday to settle the question once and for all did not work. On Wednesday, former speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), one of the partys most respected leaders, reopened the debate with some carefully chosen words on MSNBCs Morning Joe.

Its up to the president to decide if he is going to run. Were all encouraging him to make that decision, because time is running short, Pelosi said. He is beloved, he is respected, and people want him to make that decision.

Pelosi knows Biden has decided to stay in the race; she just doesnt take that as a final answer. And in a new Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll of registered voters, conducted July 5 to 9, 56 percent of Democrats surveyed said they believe Biden should pull out of the race. Anyone who argues that choosing a new candidate would divide the party should face reality: The party is already divided.

Sticking with Biden but expecting him to lose is simply not an option. The stakes are too high.

In his four years as president, Trump didnt just enact reactionary policies that took the nation backward, appoint Supreme Court justices who stripped away abortion rights, disrupt vital international alliances and generally act on grievance and whim. He went so far as to try to overturn a presidential election, inciting a violent crowd to storm the U.S. Capitol.

Trump faces state and federal felony charges for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, along with separate federal charges for allegedly absconding with sensitive classified documents. He has already been convicted of 34 state felony charges stemming from a hush money payment to an adult-film actress. His campaign speeches consist of lies, non sequiturs and incomprehensible ramblings. At 78, he, too, would be the oldest person ever elected president.

That is a description of a candidate who should be trounced in a landslide. Yet the Post poll shows Trump and Biden tied at 46 percent. And this is one of the rosiest assessments of Bidens prospects since his bad night debate performance; the RealClearPolitics average of polls has Trump ahead bythree points.

On this date in 2020, by contrast, Biden led Trump in the RCP average by nine points. Biden ended up winning the popular vote by 4.4 points.

For Democrats and for the future of our democracy these are not good numbers. Polls in the crucial swing states are even less promising.

It is impossible to ignore the debt that the Democratic Party owes to Biden. He not only came out of retirement to defeat Trump but went on to have one of the most impactful and progressive presidential terms of my lifetime. He absolutely deserves another. But can he win, when 85 percent of respondents in The Posts poll say he is too old to serve four more years?

It might not be impossible. Trump is also seen as too old, by 60 percent of voters. Bidens campaign team can argue that the presidents deficit is within the margin of error in many polls; and they have built a formidable get-out-the-vote operation. Most Americans for good reason view Trump unfavorably.

But in the Post survey, Harris leads narrowly in a hypothetical contest against Trump, 49 percent to 47 percent. And when Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents were asked who should replace Biden at the top of the ticket should he step aside, the vice president far outpaced those such as California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and even former first lady Michelle Obama.

Changing candidates would be a gamble, and there is no guarantee it would work. It is hard for me to imagine a process that ended with anyone other than Harris as the replacement. At 59, she would turn the age issue in her partys favor; and Im confident she could unite and inspire the Democratic base. Im not sure, though, how she would ultimately fare among independents and the lost tribe of anti-Trump Republicans. No one really knows what would happen.

If the smartest politicians and numbers crunchers in the Democratic Party see a way for Biden to win, they must all agree to make that happen. But if not and no one has yet shown a credible road map to victory they must all agree to make a change. A leap of faith is better than an inexorable slide into the abyss.

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Opinion | The Democrats have a lot of options. Surrender cant be one of them. - The Washington Post

President Bidens already tenuous support among House Democrats showed further signs of fraying Thursday, as the group of lawmakers most loyal to the president descended into feuding about his future.

The Congressional Black Caucus roughly 60 House Democrats who represent Bidens fiercest champions earlier this week seemed to publicly embrace the president, even before a virtual call in which he promised to have their backs in the same way Black Democrats have always had his. Private conversations suggested a statement of support from the crucial bloc was imminent after a faltering debate performance two weeks ago induced panic that the president could not beat Donald Trump in November.

But that statement never came. Following their Wednesday luncheon, many Black House Democrats started to voice private concerns about Bidens electability and the potential downstream effects on vulnerable lawmakers running in swing districts, four people familiar with the discussions said.

And there was increased finger-pointing at the White House and those in Bidens orbit who members believe are not properly guiding the president by refusing to focus on issues that would resonate in their districts and help solidify support for Biden. Some are suggesting staff changes should be made.

I think there are individuals inside the CBC who are concerned about things taking place at the White House both things that are taking place and an are not taking place but thats not a division, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II (D-Mo.) said in a brief interview. Look, the White House has got to get it together. That may be a universal CBC position, and maybe even a Democratic caucus position.

The increasing worry stemming from Bidens most important base is indicative of the volatile situation on Capitol Hill, where a growing number of Democratic lawmakers are calling on the president to abandon his reelection bid. Senior Biden campaign aides arrived on the Hill on Thursday midday to brief Democratic senators only one of whom, Peter Welch (D-Vt.) has explicitly called on Biden to step aside. Many members said they wanted to see how Biden performed in a rare news conference on Thursday evening before casting judgment.

If Biden dramatically underperforms, there is an expectation that several House Democrats will release statements calling on the president to step aside, according to four people familiar with the plans, who, like others, were granted anonymity to discuss private deliberations.

There were no big changes after the Senate lunch, in which senior Biden aides outlined their theory of the case in a memo shared with supporters pointing out a blue wall states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania and dismissing polling shifts post-debate. In addition to what we believe is a clear pathway ahead for us, there is also no indication that anyone else would outperform the president vs. Trump, the campaign wrote.

There is a resounding belief among House Democrats that was echoed in multiple wishy-washy statements this week that Biden must make a decision on his campaigns future on his own without much public pressure.

The split among House Democrats stems from how different flanks of the caucus define the historic moment as being bigger than Biden. Those with overwhelming concern about his electability privately say that Biden must recognize that preserving democracy and ensuring Trump does not win the White House is bigger than his personal ambitions.

We are faced with a stark choice: be resigned to slog through this election praying we can successfully defend our democracy, or enthusiastically embrace a vibrant vision for our future, building on the extraordinary foundation President Biden has created for our nation over the past four years. I choose the latter, said Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) said. He was the second House Democrat to come out against Biden alongside Rep. Hillary J. Scholten (D-Mich.) on Thursday.

Rather than issue public statements, some House Democrats are sending their concerns straight to Bidens orbit, according to two people familiar with the communications.

Several Black Democrats denied on Thursday that there were deep divisions within the CBC.

Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (D-N.Y.) the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus PAC and the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee has been leading a group of Black Democrats who have expressed private concerns about Bidens ability to remain at the top of the ticket. Meeks believes that Biden and his aides need to better engage CBC members and other lawmakers on what it takes to win battleground states, said two people who have spoken to CBC members this week, who, like others in this article, spoke on the condition of anonymity to share private conversations.

Chairman Meeks has never dissuaded anyone from supporting the president, said a spokesperson for the CBC PAC. In fact, he has said in public what hes said in private: President Biden has a strong record of delivering for the American people and a strong record to run on, however, after the debate the president has to demonstrate he has the energy and stamina to perform the job. The Chairman hopes he demonstrates exactly that and believes members should give the President the space to do so and make their decisions from there.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), who has publicly supported Biden and is a member of the CBC, is in a difficult spot. It would be hard for him to cross a key group in a public setting, according to multiple lawmakers and aides. Many members throughout the caucus, however, with concerns about Biden feel that the minority leader understands them.

The Houses old guard of leadership former speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.), and James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.) have subtly made public statements on the paths Biden might consider. But the current, new generation of House leaders are in a more difficult spot as they continue to listen to members with wildly varying opinions.

Jeffries and his leadership lieutenants have told members they should run their own races, with or without Biden, according to three people involved in those conversations. Pelosi has been more blunt in private conversations, those people said, telling frontliners its probably best if they come out against Biden though she counseled waiting until the NATO conference ended on Friday.

Jeffries telegraphed his plans in two separate meetings this week, according to two people familiar with them. Jeffries must balance the cheerleading for Biden among Black Democrats, many of whom hail from safe seats, with accurately representing the concerns of front-line Democrats who represent districts that are much more competitive. Whether Biden leads the ticket, and how much of a drag he will be, will also determine whether he has a shot of becoming speaker in the narrowly divided House.

In those meetings, according to multiple people familiar with them, vulnerable Democrats were incredibly tough on Biden in what was described as an emotional, candid and somber setting. Members were unequivocal that Biden would need to step aside or he could ultimately risk their reelection chances, and possibly Jeffries from becoming speaker.

Many believe they will automatically be in better political shape if Vice President Harris becomes the nominee because she would immediately eliminate the age question, besides helping Democrats get the conversation back to defeating Trump.

We have no path to take back the House if Biden stays at the top of the ticket, a senior Democratic aide said.

Other key factions besides the CBC are divided. The congressional Hispanic Caucus is so divided over how to approach Bidens electability that it also has not released a group statement. Chairwoman Nanette Barragn (D-Calif.) and deputy chair Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.) released a joint statement earlier this week in support of Biden after the group met, which irritated several members.

On something this controversial, she should have checked with members before making any statement using her CHC title, one Democratic member said.

Mariana Alfaro contributed to this report.

Excerpt from:
Black Democrats are emblematic of a House torn over Biden - The Washington Post

Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., is one of the growing number of Democrats expressing public concerns about President Biden's ability to continue running for re-election. AP Photo/John McDonnell /AP hide caption

President Biden's top campaign staff attempted to salvage support from Democratic Senators Thursday in a nearly two-hour meeting that did not appear to immediately resolve their fears.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who was one of the first Senators to publicly raise concerns about Biden's continued candidacy, told reporters following the meeting that he needs to see more from the campaign and more from Biden himself.

"Some of my concerns are allayed, some other have been deepened," Blumenthal said. "I need more of the kind of analytics that show the path to success."

Biden Campaign senior advisors Mike Donilon and Steve Ricchetti and Biden campaign Chair Jen OMalley Dillon called the meeting a day before as support for Biden appeared to deteriorate among Democrats on Capitol Hill.

The meeting was viewed by many Democrats as a critical opportunity for Biden's team to convince skeptical and fearful senators that Biden can not only run and win, but he can help Democrats keep control of the Senate.

In a memo obtained by NPR, Jen OMalley Dillon and Julie Chavez Rodriguez told staff on Thursday that theres a path to win the election, despite the setback of the debate, focusing on the Blue Wall states of Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan.

While there is no question there is increased anxiety following the debate, we are not seeing this translate into a drastic shift in vote share, they said in the memo, citing internal polling data as well as an ABC/Ipsos poll showing the race is a toss-up in key states.

That poll also shows a majority of Democratic voters wanted Biden to step aside. They said there is no sign in the polls that alternate Democratic nominees would do any better than Biden.

They said the campaign needs to stay focused on contrasting Bidens achievements with Trumps record on reproductive rights and on the Project 2025 agenda. The surest way to help Donald Trump is to spend his convention talking about our nominating process instead of the MAGA extremism that will be on stage in Milwaukee, they said.

The vast majority of Senators left the meeting eager to avoid questions from reporters. However Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., reiterated her support for Biden.

But a growing number of Democrats publicly and privately have raised concerns about Biden in recent days. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo, publicly confirmed that he told members this week that he is worried Biden will lose the election "by a landslide" and "take the House and Senate" with him.

Further criticism followed, including from Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley.

"I think President Biden should look at all of the information and carry on detailed conversations with key leaders, including Leader Schumer and Leader Jeffries, and should do what's best for the nation," Merkley told NPR in an interview.

He acknowledged that leaders and rank and file members are "extremely worried."

Vermont Sen. Peter Welch wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post sayin that Democrats "cannot unsee President Biden's disastrous debate performance" and urging Biden to back down.

But most have stopped short of asking him to step aside. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., has raised concerns but repeated a line shared by most Democrats: ultimately, the decision is out of their hands.

Well thats up to him," Tester said Wednesday. "Thats up to him."

Democrats are now closely watching a rare solo press conference scheduled for Thursday evening following the NATO summit in Washington. It will be an opportunity for Biden to demonstrate his ability on a national stage and prove that he can handle the campaign road ahead.

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Biden campaign rushes to convince Senate Democrats that Biden can win - NPR