What a drama. There is so much riding on one man's decision, where everything depends on whether he can still distinguish between personal sensitivities and overriding interests. Trump is driven by his resentments, Biden must not be.
— Ralf Fuecks (@fuecks) July 20, 2024
President Joe Biden faces mounting pressure as a growing number of Democratic lawmakers publicly call for him to step down from seeking re-election in 2024. As of now, 36 Democrats have voiced concerns about Biden’s ability to lead, with some suggesting he should bow out to make way for a younger candidate. Representative Seth Moulton of Massachusetts recently articulated his reservations in an op-ed for The Boston Globe.
He recounted an incident at a D-Day event in Normandy, France, where Biden “didn’t seem to recognize” him. Moulton framed the moment as indicative of a broader issue.
As Vice President, I see @JoeBiden when the cameras are on and when the cameras are off—in the Oval Office, in the Situation Room, and on the campaign trail.
Joe Biden is a leader who fights for the American people. pic.twitter.com/w2OIN6oGpU
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) July 20, 2024
Since a poor performance in a recent debate, Biden has faced increasing calls from within his own party to step aside.
Media outlet Axios reported that several influential Democrats have urged Biden in private to drop out. Despite these pressures, the president has reiterated in interviews his intention to stay in the race.
Until recently, "it was conceivable that Joe Biden might manage to hold on to the Democratic nomination for president," @GrahamDavidA writes. In the midst of procedural and political blows, "things seem to be slipping out of his grasp": https://t.co/Pb38IbXi4s
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) July 18, 2024
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took to Instagram Live early Friday morning to discuss the implications of Biden potentially exiting the race.
Biden urged to step down
She warned that many who are calling for Biden to step down also want Vice President Kamala Harris removed from the ticket. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi reportedly supports an open nomination process if Biden decides to drop out, rather than automatically nominating Vice President Harris.
According to The New York Times, Pelosi believes any potential candidate would be strengthened by earning the nomination through a competitive process. The Trump campaign is reportedly gearing up for a potential battle against Kamala Harris in the 2024 campaign, should she replace Biden as the Democratic nominee. They are preparing attack ads, researching Harris’s vulnerabilities, and strategizing around not alienating Black voters, who are a crucial part of the Democratic base.
In response to these mounting pressures, the Biden campaign remains steadfast. The president’s campaign chair recently reiterated Biden’s commitment to running against Donald Trump in the upcoming election. Meanwhile, a Democratic rally outside the White House called for Biden to “pass the torch” to a new leader capable of uniting the party and defeating Trump.
A speaker at the rally urged, “We only have less than 4 months to figure out how to win this election together, and we can do it — matter of fact, we have to do it.”
As President Biden recovers from a recent COVID-19 diagnosis, his doctor has issued an update on his health, indicating that he has completed his course of Paxlovid and continues to recuperate. The situation remains fluid as Democrats grapple with internal divisions and the strategic decisions necessary to challenge Trump in the 2024 election.
