Amid growing concerns within the Democratic Party, Sen. Peter Welch has become the first Senate Democrat to publicly urge President Biden to exit the race as more voices call for change ahead of the 2024 elections.
Short Summary:
- Sen. Peter Welch urges President Biden to withdraw from the race.
- A total of ten congressional Democrats have echoed this sentiment.
- Biden remains steadfast in his intention to run despite mounting pressure.
First Senate Democrat Calls for Biden’s Exit
In a dramatic turn of events on Wednesday, Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) became the first Senate Democrat to publicly call for President Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. With several House Democrats already voicing similar concerns, Welch’s statement signifies a growing unease within the Democratic Party about Biden’s electability.
“For the good of the country, I’m calling on President Biden to withdraw from the race,” Welch wrote in a Washington Post op-ed. “The national conversation is focused on President Biden’s age and capacity. Only he can change it.”
Welch highlighted that despite his “great respect” for Biden, he believes the president is no longer the best candidate to defeat former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election. This sentiment echoes the worries of multiple House Democrats, who have expressed their doubts publicly over the past few weeks.
Growing Chorus of Concerned Lawmakers
The call for Biden to step aside did not start with Welch. Nine House Democrats had already made similar appeals, citing various reasons tied to Biden’s recent debate performance and concerns over his ability to serve another term. Among those urging Biden to withdraw are:
- Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas: He was the first Democratic lawmaker to publicly call for Biden to step down on July 2. “I’m hopeful that [Mr. Biden] will make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw,” he stated.
- Rep. Raul Grijalva of Arizona: Grijalva told The New York Times that Biden should shoulder the responsibility of protecting the party and step aside.
- Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts: Moulton referenced George Washington in suggesting Biden not seek another term, saying, “That can be President Biden’s legacy as well.”
- Rep. Mike Quigley of Illinois: “The only thing that you can do now to cement [your legacy] for all time and prevent utter catastrophe is to step down,” Quigley said on MSNBC.
- Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota: Craig called for a new generation of leaders to step forward, stating it is too risky to run Biden given the stakes of a Trump comeback.
- Rep. Adam Smith of Washington: Smith advised that Biden’s inability to articulate his campaign goals clearly should prompt his exit. He emphasized, “There would be a huge sigh of relief amongst just about every Democrat in the House.”
- Rep. Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey: Sherrill called for Biden to help lead toward finding a new nominee, framing the stakes as too high to remain silent.
- Rep. Pat Ryan of New York: Ryan stressed the need for the strongest candidate against Trump, suggesting Biden’s patriotism was no longer sufficient.
- Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon: Blumenauer echoed sentiments of historical significance, urging Biden to step aside to better serve the party and the country.
Presidential Resolve
Despite the mounting calls for him to step down, President Biden has remained resolute in his decision to run. Over the past week, he has made several appearances, emphasizing his commitment to the race. During an interview with ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos, Biden expressed frustration with the growing dissent, saying, “any of these guys that don’t think I should run — run against me. Go ahead, announce for President. Challenge me at the convention.”
On Monday, Biden sent a letter to Democrats in Congress affirming his determination to stay in the race. He argued that dismissing him as the nominee would undermine the democratic process within the party, given that he clinched the Democratic nomination with substantial delegate support. He stated, “How can we stand for democracy in our nation if we ignore it in our own party?”
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Behind Closed Doors
Yet, the dissenting voices have not only been public. A group of senior House Democrats met with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries over Zoom to discuss Biden’s candidacy. During the call, several lawmakers, including Jerry Nadler of New York, Mark Takano of California, and Joe Morelle of New York, reportedly voiced their concerns about Biden’s viability.
Nadler later reiterated his support for Biden publicly, noting the importance of supporting the current nominee. However, the varied private and public stances have fueled speculation about the underlying tensions within the party.
These congressional voices of dissent have been matched by apprehensions among labor leaders and senior campaign staff. According to reports, union leaders asked Biden campaign officials for a viable plan to beat Trump during a closed-door meeting, reflecting the growing concerns about Biden’s current trajectory.
A Divided Public Opinion
Biden continues to receive support from key factions within the party, including members of the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Yet, public opinion polling reflects a more daunting picture, with Biden trailing Trump in key battleground states.
A recent AARP poll indicated that Biden is behind Trump by six percentage points in Wisconsin—a state that Biden narrowly won in 2020. Additionally, national polls show Trump with a slight lead, marking a significant shift from the comfortable lead Biden held at a similar point in the last electoral cycle. Campaign strategists and congressional members are particularly worried about the dip in support compared to 2020, when Biden enjoyed a nine-point lead over Trump at this point in the election cycle.
Fundraising has also become a point of concern for Biden’s campaign. Initial post-debate fundraising showed strong numbers, but donations have tapered off, leading to anxiety among campaign officials about sustained financial support.
Leadership Perspectives
Some of Biden’s long-time advisers, including Ron Klain, have reiterated their belief in his ability to win against Trump. Klain asserted, “He wins in 2024 as he did in 2020 because his personal values and character ultimately prevail against Trump.”
Should Biden decide to withdraw, discussions among Democratic strategists have focused on potential replacements. Welcoming Vice President Kamala Harris as a frontrunner has been a recurrent theme, given her readiness and capability to lead. Nonetheless, the party needs a clear contingency plan to avoid further electoral instability.
The Road Ahead
While some senior campaign staff express a more pessimistic view of Biden’s chances, the administration continues to push forward. Top Biden advisers are expected to provide a comprehensive briefing to Senate Democrats on Thursday, outlining the strategy moving forward. This comes before Biden’s planned solo press conference as part of the NATO summit in Washington.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has also commented on the situation, advising Biden to make a timely decision regarding his campaign. “It’s up to the president to decide if he is going to run,” Pelosi said, acknowledging that time is of the essence for any significant change to be feasible ahead of the Democratic National Convention in August.
Conclusion
As the Democratic Party faces a crossroads, the need for unity and a strong candidate becomes increasingly critical. With voices like Sen. Peter Welch leading the call for a reassessment, the coming weeks will undoubtedly be pivotal for both Biden and the Democratic Party. Whether Biden remains the nominee or steps aside, the primary goal remains clear — defeating Donald Trump in the 2024 elections and safeguarding the principles of democracy.
