Democrats Call on Biden to End Re-election Campaign After Debate UnderperformanceDemocrats Call on Biden to End Re-election Campaign After Debate Underperformance By Moira Warburton WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Several Democratic lawmakers in the U.S. Congress have publicly urged President Joe Biden to withdraw his re-election bid, citing his perceived underperformance in the recent debates against Republican challenger Donald Trump. Lawmakers Advocating for Biden’s Withdrawal: * Representative Lloyd Doggett (Texas): Doggett, the first Democrat in Congress to make the call, expressed concerns about Biden’s low approval ratings and lack of momentum in key states. * Representative Raul Grijalva (Arizona): Grijalva stated the need for a change in the Democratic nomination, highlighting Biden’s struggles in polls against Trump. * Representative Mike Quigley (Illinois): Quigley suggested that Biden step aside to avoid a potential electoral “catastrophe.” * Representative Angie Craig (Minnesota): Craig, from a competitive district, cited Biden’s debate performance and lack of response as reasons for his unsuitability as a candidate. The lawmakers’ concerns stem from Biden’s perceived cognitive decline, lack of energy, and inability to effectively respond to Trump’s attacks. They argue that these factors could significantly damage the Democratic Party’s chances of winning in the upcoming election.
By Moira Warburton
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A growing number of Democrats in the U.S. Congress are calling on Democratic President Joe Biden to end his re-election campaign after the 81-year-old incumbent underperformed in debates against Republican rival Donald Trump.
Below is a list of lawmakers who have openly called for Biden not to be re-elected.
REPRESENTATIVE LLOYD DOGGETT
Doggett, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from a safely Democratic district in Texas, was the first Democrat in Congress to call for Biden’s resignation.
“President Biden remains significantly behind Democratic senators in key states and trails Donald Trump in most polls,” Doggett said in a statement. “I had hoped the debate would provide some momentum to change that. It didn’t.”
REPRESENTATIVE RAUL GRIJALVA
Grijalva, a liberal who represents a southern Arizona district along the border with Mexico, told The New York Times it was time for Biden to end his campaign, saying, “If he is the nominee, I will support him, but I think this is an opportunity to look elsewhere.”
REPRESENTATIVE MIKE QUIGLEY
Quigley, a moderate from Illinois, told MSNBC that Biden should step aside and “let someone else do this” or risk “total catastrophe.”
REPRESENTATIVE ANGIE CRAIG
Craig, whose district is seen as a top priority for Republicans to win back in November, was the first incumbent from a highly competitive district to call for Biden’s resignation.
“Given what I saw and heard from the president at last week’s debate in Atlanta, coupled with the lack of a strong response from the president himself after that debate, I do not believe the president can campaign effectively and win against Donald Trump,” Craig said.
(Reporting by Moira Warburton; Editing by Scott Malone and Lisa Shumaker)
