It’s a Democratic uprising.
Several Democratic lawmakers, including Adam Smith of Washington, Jerry Nadler of New York, Mark Takano of California, and Joe Morelle of New York, reportedly voiced their belief during a recent phone call that President Joe Biden should step aside to allow someone else to become the party’s presidential nominee. These lawmakers, who hold influential positions on key congressional committees, joined nearly a dozen other Democrats in calling for Biden to reconsider his candidacy.
The conversation, convened by House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, lasted over an hour and centered heavily on Biden’s viability as the party’s leader going into the next election. While not all participants explicitly called for Biden’s withdrawal, many expressed concerns about his strength as a candidate against former President Donald Trump in November.
Vice President Kamala Harris emerged in discussions as a potential alternative nominee, with several lawmakers suggesting she could be a stronger contender than Biden. Despite these sentiments, neither the four lawmakers nor the Biden campaign immediately commented on the specifics of the call or the statements made.
Representatives like Jamie Raskin of Maryland, Don Beyer of Virginia, and Jim Himes of Connecticut, while not advocating for Biden’s removal, also expressed significant apprehensions about the Democratic Party’s electoral prospects with Biden as the nominee. Raskin clarified that he did not call for Biden to step aside and refuted claims that he doubted Biden’s ability to defeat Trump.
The debate surrounding Biden’s candidacy has been fueled by concerns over his age, 81, and recent criticisms of his performance in debates and interviews. Some Democrats, particularly those in competitive districts, are weighing the potential impact of Biden’s candidacy on down-ballot races.
Despite these internal discussions within the Democratic Party, Biden himself has reiterated his determination to stay in the race, dismissing calls for him to withdraw. His supporters, including members of the Congressional Black Caucus like Maxine Waters and Barbara Lee, have staunchly defended his candidacy amidst growing calls for leadership reassessment.
As the situation evolves, Democrats in Congress continue to navigate these complexities, balancing concerns over electability with the party’s unity and electoral strategy heading into the upcoming election cycle.
