President Biden is facing increased pressure from some high-profile Democrats who are calling for him to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race or be replaced as the party’s nominee following his poor debate performance against former President Trump.
Biden, 81, faced off against Trump, 78, last Thursday in the first debate of the 2024 general election, during which the president appeared to stumble over his words and lose his train of thought. The incumbent’s voice was raspy for a good portion of the 90-minute debate, while his delivery frequency halted and he showed difficulty stringing together his ideas.
His poor showing sparked immediate panic from some within the Democratic Party over his prospects of beating Trump in November and effectively leading the nation for another four years.
While some lawmakers, candidates and pundits have expressed concerns over Biden’s debate performance or at least spoke of a world where he may not be the party’s nominee, only a handful have gone as far as to publicly urge him to withdraw or be replaced.
Biden, who is the Democrats’ presumptive presidential nominee, has maintained he has no intention of dropping out.
Here are the Democrats who have explicitly called for Biden’s withdrawal or replacement.
Doggett is the first House Democrat to publicly urge Biden to remove himself from the 2024 race, arguing he failed to “effectively defend” his accomplishments and expose Trump’s “many lies.”
The Texas Democrat, who has served in the House since 1995, said he hoped the debate would “provide some momentum” to boost Biden’s numbers, but that did not come to fruition. Noting Biden’s accomplishments, Doggett said it is time to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders.
Ryan argued Vice President Harris should replace Biden on the Democratic ticket this fall, stating “too much is at stake.”
Calling Biden’s performance “deeply troubling,” the former congressman said the election should be about “generational change.”
“Harris has significantly grown into her job, she will destroy Trump in debate, highlight [the] choice issue, energize our base, bring back young voters and give us generational change. It’s time!” Ryan wrote in a social media post Tuesday.
Frisch, a Democrat running for Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, said Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 race would be “best for the country.”
The House hopeful said Biden’s debate performance “only reinforced” the argument neither Biden nor Trump should be seeking reelection to the Oval Office.
“We need a President that can unite America to realize our nation’s unlimited potential,” Frisch wrote in a statement Tuesday. “We deserve better. President Biden should do what’s best for the country and withdraw from the race.”
Carville, a longtime Democratic strategist, said Biden should be replaced.
CNN host Jake Tapper asked Carville what the Democrats should do to respond to concerns over the debate, and the strategist replied, “Something different.”
“Everyone saw what they saw on Thursday night. I don’t take any pleasure in this,” he added. “President Biden’s a great guy, I’m a great guy too. I don’t have any business running campaigns anymore.”
Carville noted he “really likes” Biden, but the country “wants something new.”
"Why are we fighting this inevitable desire?” he said. “Give the people a shot, let them see who’s in the party, and I believe there’s staggering talent in the Democratic Party. Get out of the way and let a thousand flowers bloom.”
