As the re-election campaign for President Joe Biden gains momentum, concerns about his age and health are casting doubts on his ability to defeat Republican opponent Donald Trump. During a crucial press conference, Biden, at 81 years old, maintained a strong stance, asserting his qualifications to beat Trump and his determination to stay in the race for the presidency.
Despite delivering a coherent defense of his administration’s performance both domestically and internationally, Biden also made some errors, such as mistakenly referring to Vice President Kamala Harris as “Vice President Trump.” Following this appearance, additional elected Democrats have joined a growing chorus of allies urging the president to consider stepping down, although the majority of his party publicly supports his candidacy.
Notable Democrats in the House of Representatives, including Eric Sorensen, Jim Himes, and Scott Peters, have called on Biden to withdraw from the race, emphasizing the importance of having a candidate who can articulate a clear vision for the nation. The list of House Democrats advocating for Biden to step aside includes Lloyd Doggett, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Greg Stanton, and others.
In the Senate, Senator Peter Welch was the first to publicly urge Biden to step aside, citing the best interest of the nation. While other Senate Democrats have expressed concerns about a potential Trump victory, some, like Michael Bennet, Richard Blumenthal, and Patty Murray, have not called for Biden’s withdrawal.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has expressed public support for Biden, although there are reports suggesting wavering support. Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi refrained from unequivocally endorsing Biden in a recent television interview, suggesting that the president must make a decision about continuing in the race soon.
Among Democratic governors, no one has called on Biden to step aside, but individuals like Gretchen Whitmer, JB Pritzker, and Maura Healey have raised concerns about his health and competitiveness. New York Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado became the first deputy leader at the state level to advocate for Biden’s withdrawal.
In terms of Democratic donors, several major contributors, including Abigail Disney, Damon Lindelof, and Gideon Stein, have announced withholding funds until Biden steps aside. Additionally, prominent figures like Reed Hastings and Rick Caruso, known for their significant contributions to the Democratic Party, have also called for Biden to exit the race.
In the realm of celebrity endorsements, George Clooney penned an op-ed in The New York Times urging Biden to drop out, citing his observations of the president’s decline at a recent fundraiser. Other celebrities, such as Stephen King, Michael Moore, Rob Reiner, John Cusack, and Sara Haines, have also called on Biden to reconsider his candidacy. While Jon Stewart stopped short of demanding Biden’s resignation, he emphasized the need to initiate a dialogue on the matter.
