Top Points:
Democratic Dissent on Biden's Viability: Key Democrats, including Rep. Lloyd Doggett and Rep. James Clyburn, have openly suggested President Biden should consider stepping aside, citing concerns over his political viability and performance.
Public Concerns About Biden’s Age and Health: A significant majority of voters (72%) believe Biden should not seek a second term, with concerns about his age being a major factor. Prominent figures like Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Peter Welch have publicly questioned Biden’s health and the dismissive attitude toward these concerns.
Potential Impact on Down-Ballot Races: Democratic lawmakers and governors are worried about the negative impact of Biden's campaign on other races. Internal discussions highlight fears that Biden's continued candidacy could harm the party's chances in upcoming elections, though replacing him presents logistical and strategic challenges.
Full Report:
President Joe Biden's path to a second term is becoming increasingly uncertain as key Democrats question his viability. This internal dissent highlights the growing concern within the party about Biden’s political future.
Calls for Biden to Step Aside
Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), representing a historically significant district once led by Lyndon Johnson, was among the first to voice the need for Biden to withdraw. Doggett's statement was clear: "Under very different circumstances, [Johnson] made the painful decision to withdraw. President Biden should do the same." This sentiment arose after Biden’s performance in a recent debate, where Doggett felt Biden failed to reassure voters or effectively counter Trump's assertions.
Rep. James Clyburn, a pivotal supporter of Biden’s 2024 campaign, indicated he would back Vice President Kamala Harris if Biden chose not to run. This is a significant shift from one of Biden’s staunch allies.
Public and Political Concerns Mount
A CBS News/YouGov poll revealed that 72% of voters believe Biden should not pursue a second term, an increase of nine points since February. Similarly, Sen. Joe Manchin reportedly considered urging Biden to withdraw, though he was dissuaded by Democratic officials.
Even Rep. Nancy Pelosi questioned Biden’s health publicly for the first time. Pelosi stated on MSNBC, "I think it’s a legitimate question to say, is this an episode or is this a condition? When people ask that question, it’s completely legitimate — of both candidates."
Sen. Peter Welch echoed frustrations regarding Biden’s age, pointing out that dismissing these concerns is inappropriate. The same CBS News/YouGov poll indicated that 86% of respondents who oppose Biden's reelection cite his age as a major factor.
Impact on Down-Ballot Races
Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) expressed concerns on CNN about the broader implications of Biden’s debate performance, emphasizing the potential negative impact on other races. Democratic governors also shared these concerns during a call, as reported by CNN’s Jake Tapper. The governors expressed disappointment at the lack of direct communication from Biden and feared that going public with their concerns might cause Biden to become even more entrenched in his decision to run.
Challenges of Finding a Replacement
Political experts suggest that the Democrats face significant hurdles if they decide to replace Biden. These challenges include navigating the complex process of getting a new candidate on the ballot in all 50 states, reallocating campaign funds, and finding a viable candidate who would not just be a placeholder.
Despite the growing unease, a CNN poll found that 56% of Democrats still believe Biden is their best chance to win in November, while 43% think another candidate would improve their odds.
Original Story by Wendell Husebø, Breitbart
.png)
Comments