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President of the United States Joe Biden is delivering off-the-cuff remarks unscripted following remarks at the podium with First Lady Jill Biden at a BBQ with members of the military and their families on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., United States, on July 4, 2024.
Will Joe go?
The calls keep coming for US President Joe Biden to end his 2024 reelection campaign, with two letters reportedly circulating among House Democrats calling for Biden to step aside.
Many in the party see the coming week as crucial, including Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy who said “I do think the clock is ticking,” but a defiant Bidensaid “only the Lord Almighty” could make him quit in a 22-minute interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos Friday night. Biden reaffirmed he would stay, called Donald Trump a “congenital liar,” andrefused to take a cognitive test, saying that he takes a test “every day” just doing his job.
While the president didn’t make any blunders, his performance still left many Democrats uneasy. That concern grew after it became public that Biden’s team had provided suggested questions to two radio interviewersin advance, prompting his aides to say they would cease the practice.
Despitea strong rally in Madison and awarm welcome in Philadelphia, the list of Democrats who want the President to step aside keeps growing longer. So far, nine House Democrats have called for him to quit, the latest being representatives Adam Smith of Washington, Jerry Nadler of New York, Mark Takano of California and Joe Morelle of New York. Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia had invited fellow senators to meet today to discuss the Biden campaign, but that meeting was called off last night.
As the week unfolds, with Biden hosting the NATO Summit in Washington, DC, we’ll be watching who else joins the chorus – and whether Biden changes his mind.
The Graphic Truth: How old is US Congress
Recent headlines of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, 81, struggling to speak and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, 90, appearing confused in hearings have left some Americans concerned that their leaders are staying in power past their prime.
In Congress, baby boomers and the Silent Generation make up 54% of all members. The Senate’s median age, 65.3, has risen by three years since 2017, while the House’s dropped slightly from 58.4 to 57.9. In 2023, the first Gen Z representative was elected, joining the ranks of 13 others under the age of 35.
The Democratic Party skews older, with 17 House members from the Silent Generation compared to five across the aisle. This is likely because Democrats value seniority in committee leadership positions and don’t have term limits like the Republicans.
These age concerns go beyond health and mental fitness; they question whether a gerontocratic government will adequately prioritize slow-moving crises, from climate change to mounting federal debt, whose consequences aren’t immediate but will shape the future for younger generations.