CurrentReport Blog As the United States gears up for the 2024 Presidential election, incumbent President Joe Biden is facing mounting pressure from within his own party to step aside. On Friday, five additional House Democrats joined the growing chorus of lawmakers urging Biden to withdraw from the race.
Reps. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Marc Veasey (D-Texas), Chuy Garcia (D-Illinois), and Marc Pocan (D-Wisc.) issued a joint statement calling for President Biden to “pass the torch to a new generation of Democratic leaders.”
“Mr. President, with great admiration for you personally, sincere respect for your decades of public service and patriotic leadership, and deep appreciation for everything we have accomplished together during your presidency, it is now time for you to pass the torch to a new generation of Democratic leaders,” the statement read.
The lawmakers emphasized the importance of defeating Donald Trump, citing the need to save democracy, protect alliances, and uphold the rules-based international order. They acknowledged Biden’s achievements but highlighted growing public concerns about his age and fitness as a liability for the campaign.
“These perceptions may not be fair, but they have hardened in the aftermath of last month’s debate and are now unlikely to change. We believe the most responsible and patriotic thing you can do at this moment is to step aside as our nominee while continuing to lead our party from the White House,” they stated.
Separately, Rep. Sean Casten (D-Illinois) also urged Biden to drop out of the race. “It’s time for Joe Biden to pass the torch,” Casten wrote. He expressed concern that the election’s focus on public gaffes and “senior moments” could undermine Biden’s campaign.
“Politics, like life, isn’t fair. And as long as this election is instead litigated over which candidate is more likely to be held accountable for public gaffes and ‘senior moments,’ I believe that Biden is not only going to lose but is also uniquely incapable of shifting that conversation,” Casten added.
