On Thursday, at least three more House Democrats urged President Joe Biden to step down from the presidential race. This happened after Biden held his first solo news conference in months following the NATO summit.
Biden’s team felt hopeful about his performance at the news conference. However, it wasn’t clear if it was enough to convince those in his party who are worried that he might not be strong enough to beat Donald Trump and lead effectively for another four years.
Representative Jim Himes, a Democrat from Connecticut, praised Biden as “a remarkable leader of unparalleled public service” but said it’s time for him to step aside. Himes stated, “The 2024 election will define the future of American democracy. We need the strongest candidate to face the threat of Trump’s MAGA authoritarianism. I no longer believe that is Joe Biden. I hope he will continue to put our nation first and make way for a new generation of leaders.”
During the news conference, Biden was asked about his promise to step aside if needed. He said he needed to “finish” the job he started, noting that he hadn’t fully understood the challenges in the economy, foreign policy, and domestic divisions before taking office.
Representative Scott Peters, a Democrat from California, also issued a statement after the news conference. He said Biden’s recent debate performance was not a one-time issue and that poll numbers in key states have worsened significantly. Peters urged Biden to withdraw from the race, saying, “The stakes are high, and we are on a losing path. My conscience compels me to speak up and prioritize loyalty to the country and democracy over my affection and loyalty to the President.”
Representative Eric Sorensen, a Democrat from Illinois running for re-election in a competitive district, expressed his hope that Biden would step aside. He called for a candidate who can communicate a positive vision for everyone in the country. Sorensen said, “In 2020, Joe Biden ran for President to put the country over party. Today, I ask him to do that again.”
Despite this new opposition, Biden’s team felt confident about his news conference. They believed it could help stop the internal party opposition and reassure doubtful Democrats. A source close to Biden said the news conference should comfort those with genuine concerns about Biden’s ability to fight Trump, present a second-term vision, and highlight his differences from Trump on issues like Project 2025, abortion rights, gun safety, and a fairer economic system. The source believed Biden had done well.
However, a Democratic official, who couldn’t speak publicly about Biden’s political situation, said Biden didn’t do much to reassure Democrats that he understood the seriousness of his situation or had a realistic plan to win. The official noted that Biden seemed more comfortable discussing foreign policy issues like NATO, which are not important to swing voters in battleground states. The official also said Biden had no clear message for the future and focused on past achievements from two years ago.
With the presidential nominating conventions approaching, a Democratic leadership aide mentioned that time is running out to stop the internal party conflicts. The aide said, “The week after next when lawmakers return is the final make-or-break moment. If Biden stays in at that point, we have to rally around him.”