Who is calling for Biden to step aside in the race for president?
Following his performance in the first presidential debate, some Democrats and news outlets have called for Joe Biden to withdraw from the presidential race.
The alarm bells sounding about Joe Biden’s presidential candidacy are still ringing. The debate about whether the Democrat should continue in the race for the country’s presidency or not arose after his weak performance during his first televised meeting with former President Trump, prior to the general elections on November 5.
The current occupant of the White House and the former Republican president faced off in a presidential debate on June 27, in which the conservative clearly defeated the liberal, despite spewing numerous lies. Biden’s performance was marked by whispers, ramblings and nonsensical phrases, as well as struggling with a hoarse voice, which was later reported to be the result of a cold.
After Biden’s poor performance in the first presidential debate, discussions about a possible replacement for the Democratic candidate did not take long. Among the names that began to emerge as possible nominees, were figures such as the former First Lady Michelle Obama, governors Gavin Newsom of California, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and JB Pritzker of Illinois. But who are those who are asking Biden to withdraw from the race?
Who is calling for Biden to step aside in the race for president?
Once the first presidential debate came to an end, well-known media and opinion outlets that previously used to sympathize with Biden, such as the New York Times and TIME, began to question whether the Democrat was the ideal candidate to be at the top of the ticket for his party.
The New York-based newspaper noted that “the greatest public service Mr Biden can do” is to get out of the race for the presidency, given that he is no longer the man he used to be four years ago and the change is noticeable.
You may also be interested in: When and where is the 2024 Democratic National Convention? Can another candidate be chosen?
For its part, TIME magazine dedicated an entire column to the president, urging him to get out of the race. “It would be the most executive order the world has ever seen. It is utterly within your power to give America its first woman President. Grant history that gift. Grant your legacy that gift. It would complete a career defining, democracy celebrating suite of sound service,” the publication wrote.
As for the voices within the Democratic party that question Biden’s candidacy, there are David Axelrod, an important advisor to former President Barack Obama, as well as several legislators and strategists. However, the main Democratic figures, like House Party Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Rep. James Clyburn, and even Governor Newsom, have ruled out replacing Biden.
Biden responds
After the alarms raised by his performance in the first presidential debate, Biden responded to concerns and acknowledged that his performance was not the best. “Folks, let me close with this. I know I’m not a young man, to state the obvious,” he told the crowd at a campaign rally the day after the debate.
“I don’t walk as easily as I used to. I don’t talk as smoothly as I used to. I don’t debate as well as I used to. But I know what I do know. I know how to tell the truth!” he continued to cheers.
“I know right from wrong. And I know how to do this job. I know how to get things done. And I know what millions of Americans know: When you get knocked down, you get back up!”