Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) has become the first Democratic lawmaker to publicly urge President Joe Biden to withdraw as the party’s nominee for president. Doggett’s statement, released on Tuesday, cited Biden’s underwhelming performance in the recent debate against Donald Trump, which failed to effectively showcase his accomplishments. The debate performance raised doubts about Biden’s fitness for a second term, particularly given his age and the demands of the presidency.
“My decision to make these strong reservations public is not done lightly nor does it in any way diminish my respect for all that President Biden has achieved,” Doggett said. “Recognizing that, unlike Trump, President Biden’s first commitment has always been to our country, not himself, I am hopeful that he will make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw.”
The Texas congressman also emphasized the need for a strong candidate to take on Trump in the November election. Lloyd Doggett’s call for Biden to step down has many Democrats privately questioning the President’s ability to lead the party to victory.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said that it is a “legitimate question” whether Biden’s performance was an isolated incident or a sign of a larger issue. “When people ask that question, it’s legitimate — of both candidates,” Pelosi said. Meanwhile, according to The Associated Press, Sen. Bernie Sanders has expressed his support for Biden, despite reservations about his chances of winning in November.
“A presidential election is not a Grammy Award contest for the best singer or entertainer. It’s about who has the best policies that impact our lives,” Sanders said. “I’m going to do everything I can to see that Biden gets re-elected.”
While Biden has conceded that the debate did not go well, he remains committed to running for re-election. The White House has acknowledged these concerns as well, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stating that the party respects the opinions of its members. “He’s going to have his thoughts. That’s for him to speak to,” Jean-Pierre said in response to Lloyd Doggett’s statement.
This new development has significant implications for the Democratic party, which is already facing a challenging election season. With control of both the House and Senate at stake, Democrats are grappling with the possibility of a weakened candidate at the top of the ticket.
