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.