Growing Democratic Voices Urge Biden to Step Aside in 2024 Race
Prominent Lawmakers Express Concerns About President's Electability
WASHINGTON — A growing chorus of Democratic voices within Congress is urging President Joe Biden to step aside and make way for another candidate in the 2024 presidential race. This sentiment was recently echoed by four influential House Democrats during a phone call on Sunday, according to multiple sources familiar with the conversation.
Representatives Adam Smith of Washington, Jerry Nadler of New York, Mark Takano of California, and Joe Morelle of New York have joined nearly a dozen of their colleagues in calling for Biden to reconsider his candidacy. These lawmakers hold significant positions on key congressional committees, with Smith leading the Armed Services Committee, Nadler chairing the Judiciary Committee, Takano heading the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and Morelle overseeing the House Administration Committee.
The call, convened by House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, lasted over an hour and was marked by an intense discussion over Biden's future as the party's nominee. Each participant was allowed to speak in order of seniority, and while not all explicitly called for Biden to step down, many voiced concerns about his ability to secure a victory against former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election.
Sources indicate there was a strong sentiment among the lawmakers that Vice President Kamala Harris would be a preferable nominee should Biden choose to exit the race. Jeffries' office has declined to comment on the discussion.
Among those expressing significant concerns without directly calling for a new nominee were Representatives Jamie Raskin of Maryland, Don Beyer of Virginia, and Jim Himes of Connecticut. These lawmakers hold prominent positions on the Oversight, Joint Economic, and Intelligence committees, respectively.
Despite the increasing calls for a change in candidacy, some lawmakers, like Beyer, reaffirmed their support for Biden. "I support President Biden," Beyer stated. "I support the Biden-Harris ticket, and look forward to helping defeat Donald Trump in November." Both Beyer and Himes did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.
In a brief interview with NBC News, Raskin clarified that he never suggested Biden should step aside, nor did he believe Biden would fail to win against Trump. However, polling data and Biden's recent debate performance on June 27 have fueled concerns about his viability as a candidate. The debate performance, in particular, has prompted both public and private discussions among Democrats and donors about whether Biden remains the best choice to face Trump.
In battleground districts, some House Democrats are contemplating distancing themselves from Biden. Representative Susan Wild of Pennsylvania conveyed her apprehensions about campaigning with Biden, particularly regarding how his presence at the top of the ticket could affect down-ballot Democrats like herself. Wild, who narrowly won re-election in 2022, did not explicitly call for Biden to step aside but expressed her concerns during the confidential conversation.
Representative Angie Craig of Minnesota was more direct in her stance, becoming the first front-line Democrat to publicly call for Biden to step down. "President Biden is a good man & I appreciate his lifetime of service," she wrote on social media platform X. "But I believe he should step aside for the next generation of leadership."
While some factions within the party are pushing for change, the Congressional Black Caucus remains largely supportive of Biden, with notable members like Representatives Maxine Waters and Barbara Lee defending him vigorously. Representative Frederica Wilson of Florida, also a member of the Caucus, criticized those calling for Biden to step aside, emphasizing his accomplishments and leadership.
In response to the mounting pressure, Biden has maintained a defiant stance. During a stop in Pennsylvania on Sunday, he affirmed the Democratic Party's support for him. His recent interview with ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos saw him dismissing calls for his withdrawal, stating that only divine intervention could make him reconsider his candidacy.
"Look, I mean, if the Lord Almighty came down and said, 'Joe, get out of the race,' I'll get out of the race," Biden remarked. "The Lord Almighty's not coming down."
As the debate over Biden's candidacy continues, the Democratic Party faces a critical decision that could shape the outcome of the 2024 election.