Growing Calls for Biden to Withdraw:  Perspectives from Influential Democrats

Growing Calls for Biden to Withdraw:  Perspectives from Influential Democrats

Edited by:  Fern Sidman

In a growing and unprecedented movement within the Democratic Party, several prominent lawmakers have called for President Joe Biden to withdraw from the upcoming presidential race. According to a report that appeared on Thursday on the Forbes.com web site, concerns over Biden’s electability and the urgency of defeating former President Donald Trump have fueled these calls, highlighting a significant shift in the party’s internal dynamics and strategy.

Forbes reported that Representative Mike Quigley of Illinois expressed his concerns during an interview with MSNBC’s Chris Hayes, stating that Biden stepping down is the “only thing” left to cement his legacy and “prevent utter catastrophe.” Quigley’s remarks shine a spotlight on a sense of urgency and the belief that new leadership is necessary to secure a Democratic victory in the upcoming election.

Representative Seth Moulton of Massachusetts shared similar sentiments in an interview with Boston NPR station WBUR. As per the information provided in the Forbes report, Moulton lamented his loss of confidence in Biden’s ability to defeat Trump in November, suggesting that Biden should “step aside to let new leaders rise up.” Moulton’s comments reflect a growing concern within the party about Biden’s viability as a candidate and the need for a fresh approach.

Representative Lloyd Doggett of Texas was the first sitting Democratic lawmaker to publicly urge Biden to step aside. Doggett’s call came last week, following a debate that he had hoped would provide Biden with momentum. Instead, Doggett felt that Biden “failed to effectively defend his many accomplishments and expose Trump’s many lies,” as was reported by Forbes.

Joining Doggett, Representative Raúl Grijalva of Arizona became the second sitting congressional Democrat to call for Biden to step down. According to the information contained in the Forbes report, in an interview with The New York Times, Grijalva emphasized Biden’s “responsibility” to remove himself from the race, reflecting a broader sense of duty and concern for the party’s future.

Outside of the current congressional landscape, influential figures have also weighed in on the issue. Julian Castro, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Obama and an early 2020 Democratic primary candidate, argued that Biden should “absolutely” withdraw from the race, the Forbes report indicated. Castro suggested that Vice President Kamala Harris should take over the Democratic ticket, highlighting her potential as a strong candidate in his opinion.

Former Representative Tim Ryan of Ohio, who competed against Biden in the 2020 Democratic primary, echoed this sentiment in a Newsweek op-ed. Forbes reported that Ryan described Harris as the party’s “best path forward” and an opportunity for “generational change.”

The calls for President Biden to step aside reflect a critical juncture for the Democratic Party. These appeals for new leadership stem from a combination of strategic considerations and concerns about Biden’s ability to effectively challenge Trump in the upcoming election. The movement also signals a broader desire for generational change and fresh perspectives within the party.

Several high-profile billionaires, who have been notable supporters of President Biden or opponents of Donald Trump, have publicly urged Biden to step aside. The Forbes report noted that among them are Christy Walton, Michael Novogratz, and Reed Hastings. Each has contributed significantly to pro-Biden or anti-Trump groups, indicating their vested interest in ensuring a Democratic victory. According to the Forbes report, Mark Cuban, another prominent figure, has also suggested that Democrats should assess whether another candidate might be better suited to step in as the nominee.

The New York Times Editorial Board made a striking declaration in a headline the day after a contentious debate: “To serve his country, President Biden should leave the race.” This left-leaning panel’s statement is not an isolated incident. Forbes reported that it was soon echoed by the editorial boards of other major newspapers, including The Chicago Tribune, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Boston Globe. The unified message from these influential media outlets calls attention to a significant shift in sentiment among traditional Democratic supporters and highlights the urgency of the situation.

Several renowned columnists have also voiced their concerns, often with personal and emotional appeals. Thomas Friedman, a Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist and friend of Biden, described how he wept while watching the debate, calling it “heartbreaking,” as was reported by Forbes. Friedman argued that Biden “has no business running for re-election” and called for an open process to search for a new Democratic presidential nominee.

Nicholas Kristof, another New York Times columnist, wrote that Biden’s debate performance “reinforced the narrative” that he is too old to serve as president. The Forbes report explained that Kristof urged Biden to announce his retirement before the convention, allowing his delegates to select a new nominee. He suggested potential candidates such as Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, or Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

Paul Krugman, in a headline that read “The best president of my life needs to withdraw,” acknowledged the potential backlash from Biden loyalists but stressed the need to “recognize reality,” as was pointed out in the Forbes report. Krugman’s plea, given his strong support for Biden’s policies, carries significant weight and highlights the depth of concern among his supporters.

David Remnick, editor of The New Yorker, provided a stark assessment of Biden’s performance, stating that Biden appeared to “wander into senselessness onstage.” The report in Forbes indicated that Remnick warned that remaining on the ticket “would be an act not only of self-delusion but of national endangerment.”

David Ignatius, a prominent foreign affairs columnist for The Washington Post, reiterated his earlier stance that Biden should not seek re-election. In his post-debate analysis, Ignatius pointed to the insulating effect of Biden’s close circle of aides and confidants, including First Lady Jill Biden, according to the information in the Forbes report.  He argued that this inner circle has been “protective—to a fault,” dismissing external calls for Biden to step aside.

Mark Leibovich, a staff writer for The Atlantic and former national correspondent for The New York Times Magazine, delivered a blunt assessment in his column titled “Time To Go, Joe.” Forbes reported that Leibovich described the debate as a “disaster,” noting that Biden “looked old, sounded old, and yes, is in fact very, very old.”

Joe Scarborough, the host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” which is reportedly a favorite of Biden’s, took a more nuanced approach. Expressing his affection for Biden, Scarborough gently suggested that the president consider bowing out of the race. The report in Forbes said that he posed a rhetorical question comparing Biden’s performance to that of a CEO, implying that no corporation would retain a leader who performed as poorly.

Chandler West, former White House director of photography from January 2021 through May 2022, added a unique perspective from inside the administration. On Instagram, West declared “it’s time for Joe to go,” as reported by Axios. Forbes reported that he cited private admissions from White House operatives who have acknowledged for months that Biden is “not as strong as he was just a couple of years ago.”

Longtime Democratic political consultant James Carville has been unequivocal in his criticism of Biden’s candidacy. Speaking to Politico, Carville stated that Biden “shouldn’t be” the nominee. He further revealed that the Biden campaign used his name in a post-debate fundraising text without his permission, a move that highlights potential missteps within the campaign. The information provided in The Forbes report indicated that in a conversation with Axios, Carville expressed his belief that Biden will end his campaign before Election Day, paraphrasing economist Herb Stein’s famous quote: “that which can’t continue . . . won’t.”

Andrew Yang, a former 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, has also expressed regret over his previous confidence in Biden’s team. In a candid blog post, Yang admitted he was “wrong” to believe that Biden’s team could adequately prepare him for the debate. Describing Biden as “old and shuffling” when he saw him in February, Yang argued that Biden is “running an unwinnable race” and is “doing wrong by the country” by continuing his candidacy, as was noted in The Forbes report.

Cenk Uygur, host and founder of the left-wing political podcast The Young Turks, has been one of the most immediate and vocal critics. Less than 30 minutes into the debate, Uygur tweeted that it was time to “start talking about who should replace Biden,” asserting that it was “obvious that it definitely MUST happen,” the Forbes report said.

President Biden is scheduled to hold his first press conference since the debate on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. ET. Additionally, Forbes reported that he will sit for an interview with NBC’s Lester Holt on Monday. These engagements are critical opportunities for Biden to address the growing concerns about his candidacy and performance.

Despite the rising chorus of calls for Biden to step aside, the top leaders in Congress have remained publicly supportive of the president. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., told Punchbowl News that he is engaging in discussions with “every single” House Democrat about the president. The information in the Forbes report said that Jeffries indicated that once these talks conclude, the

President Biden has so far rebuffed the calls to withdraw from the race. In a letter to congressional Democrats on Monday, he stated that “it’s time for discussions about his debate performance” to end, signaling his intent to remain in the race despite the mounting pressure, Forbes reported.