President Biden’s performance in last week’s debate has incited significant concern within the Democratic Party’s upper echelons. Sources indicate that prominent party members are contemplating urging him to reconsider his re-election campaign.
This development has thrown the party into turmoil, potentially deepening the divide between Biden loyalists and swing district officials as the Democratic National Convention in Chicago approaches next month.
In response, Biden’s senior campaign aides have been engaging in extensive damage control efforts with key donors throughout the past week. Despite the growing unease, both the White House and Biden remain steadfast in their belief that he is the best candidate to face former President Trump, who is expected to be the GOP nominee.
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Democrats who say Biden should drop out
- Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas: “I am hopeful that he will make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw. I respectfully call on him to do so.”
- Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz.: “I’m going to support [Biden], but I think this is an opportunity to look elsewhere … What he needs to do is shoulder the responsibility of keeping that seat — and part of that responsibility is to get out of this race.”
- Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass: “President Biden has done enormous service to our country, but now is the time for him to follow in one of our founding fathers, George Washington’s footsteps and step aside to let new leaders rise and run against Donald Trump.”
- Adam Frisch, candidate for Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District: “I thank President Biden for his years of service, but the path ahead requires a new generation of leadership to take our country forward.”
Democrats who have raised concerns
- Former House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.: “I think it’s a legitimate question to say, ‘Is this an episode or a condition?’ When people ask that question, it’s completely legitimate of both candidates.”
- Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Pérez, D-Wash.: “About 50 million Americans tuned in and watched that debate. I was one of them for about five very painful minutes. We all saw what we saw, you can’t undo that, and the truth, I think, is that Biden is going to lose to Trump.”
- Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine: “In 2025, I believe Trump is going to be in the White House. Maine’s representatives will need to work with him when it benefits Mainers, hold him accountable when it does not, and work independently across the aisle no matter what.”
- Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pa.: “Maybe folks don’t want to hear, but we have timing that is running out. Time is not on our side. We have a few months to do a monumental task. It’s not cheap and it’s not easy. If our president decides this is not a pathway forward for him, we have to move very quickly. There’s not going to be time for a primary. That time is past. The vice president is the obvious choice. She’s sitting right there.”
- Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C.: “I do know this: I think that the American people want an explanation; they need to be reassured, and I hope that over the next several days, we’ll do that.”
- Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill.: “I think we gotta be honest with ourselves, this wasn’t just one bad debate performance. There are very real concerns, and you have to take the voters for where they are, not where you want them to be.”
- Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt.: “I do criticize the campaign for a dismissive attitude towards people who are raising questions for discussion. That’s just facing the reality that we’re in.”
- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.: “I think like a lot of people, I was pretty horrified by the debate… I think people want to make sure that this is a campaign that’s ready to go and win, that the president and his team are being candid with us about his condition — that this was a real anomaly and not just the way he is these days.”
Democratic Governors Show Support for President Biden Amid Concerns
On Wednesday evening, 23 Democratic governors met with President Biden at the White House. After the meeting, only Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, and Maryland Governor Wes Moore spoke to reporters to express their support.
Governor Moore described the meeting as “honest” and “candid,” assuring that the governors would stand by Biden. Governor Hochul stated that Biden was committed to winning and emphasized their support, saying, “the stakes could not be higher,” especially with Independence Day approaching.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has been suggested as a potential Biden replacement, also attended the meeting and voiced his support. He posted on X, “I heard three words from the President tonight — he’s all in. And so am I,” reaffirming his backing for Biden right after the debate.
“You don’t turn your back because of one performance,” California Governor Gavin Newsom stated after the debate. “What kind of party does that? This president has delivered. We need to deliver for him at this moment.”
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, and Hawaii Governor Josh Green have also publicly expressed their support for President Biden.
In addition, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a longtime Biden ally, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have voiced their backing. Jeffries posted on X on Saturday, “A setback is nothing more than a setup for a comeback,” showing confidence in Biden’s resilience.