California Representative Adam Schiff, a prominent Democrat and Senate candidate, has called on President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. Schiff’s surprising request came on Wednesday when he urged Biden to “pass the torch” to a new candidate.
While praising Biden as “one of the most consequential presidents in our nation’s history,” Schiff expressed doubts about the President’s chances in the upcoming election.
“I have serious concerns about whether the President can defeat Donald Trump in November,” he stated.
This call is believed to be largely influenced by Biden’s poor performance in June’s debate, which has caused many Democrats to worry. Schiff warned that “a second Trump presidency will undermine the very foundation of our democracy.”
The Biden campaign quickly responded by highlighting the many supports they have received from other Democrats, like Rep. Jim Clyburn and Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Steven Horsford.
Biden himself has firmly stated he won’t drop out, insisting his “mental acuity has been pretty damn good” in a recent NBC News interview. He emphasized that he had earned the Democratic nomination with support from 14 million primary voters.
Currently, Adam Schiff has vowed to support whoever becomes the Democratic nominee. He had previously suggested that Vice President Kamala Harris “very well could win overwhelmingly” if Biden were to step aside, calling her a potentially “phenomenal president.”
“While the choice to withdraw from the campaign is President Biden’s alone,” Schiff said, “I believe it is time for him to pass the torch.” He added that doing so would “secure his legacy of leadership by allowing us to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming election.”
This public request from a high-ranking Democrat puts more pressure on Biden as he prepares for a challenging re-election campaign. The Democratic National Committee is preparing to officially name Biden as the party’s nominee in a virtual roll call vote, potentially weeks before the August convention in Chicago.
Now as the 2024 election approaches, Democrats face a crucial decision: stick with Biden or consider a new candidate. Adam Schiff’s call may encourage other party members to voice similar concerns.
