Democrats increasing pressure on Joe Biden to drop re-election bid following NATO missteps | US Politics
President Joe Biden has faced increasing pressure from fellow Democrats to withdraw from the White House race following several major gaffes at the NATO summit.
His performance at the summit was viewed as critical for the 81-year-old after a disastrous debate with Donald Trump last month.
However, during the summit’s conclusion, he mistakenly referred to Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “President Putin,” causing shock among attendees before correcting himself. He later confused the names of Vice President Kamala Harris and Trump.
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‘Ladies and gentlemen: President Putin’
The public blunders on the international stage have sparked concerns within his party about his ability to defeat Trump on 5 November and secure another term in office.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has met with Mr Biden to discuss his candidacy and the way forward.
Democrats fear that Mr Biden’s candidacy could lead to losses in the House of Representatives and Senate, potentially losing power in Washington if Trump wins the presidency.
Moscow has seized on Mr Biden’s mistakes, joking that he appears to be “a pro-Russian candidate under Kremlin control.”
Despite mounting criticism, Mr Biden has made it clear that he has no intention of dropping out.
He stated, “If I attend the convention and there is a consensus for someone else, that is the democratic process.”
However, in a more emphatic tone he often uses for emphasis, he added, “It’s not going to happen.”
Nevertheless, some Democrats remain unconvinced.
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Encouraging Mr Biden to step aside, Colorado representative Brittany Pettersen posted on social media, “Please pass the torch to one of our many competent Democratic leaders so we have the best chance to defeat Donald Trump.”
Connecticut representative Jim Himes praised Mr Biden as “an exceptional leader with unmatched public service” but expressed the need for him to exit the race.
He stated, “The 2024 election will shape the future of American democracy, and we must present the strongest candidate possible to combat the threat posed by Trump’s promised MAGA (Make America Great Again) authoritarianism.
“I no longer believe that candidate is Joe Biden, and I hope that, as he has always prioritized the country in his public service, he will make room for a new generation of leaders.”
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Representative Scott Peters of California cited Mr Biden’s poor debate performance last month as a sign of concern, noting a decline in swing state polls since then.
He said, “Today I urge President Biden to withdraw from the presidential race.
“The stakes are high, and we are heading towards defeat.
“My conscience compels me to prioritize the country and democracy over my admiration and loyalty to the president and his circle.
“We must find a candidate from our talented pool who can defeat Donald Trump.”
Representative Eric Sorensen of Illinois, seeking reelection in a competitive district, expressed hope that Mr Biden would step aside in favor of a candidate who can offer a positive vision for all Americans.
He added, “In 2020, Joe Biden ran for president with a commitment to prioritize country over party. Today, I ask him to do so again.”
Meanwhile, Mr Jeffries, a prominent Democrat, revealed meeting with Mr Biden on Thursday night.
In a letter to colleagues, he stated, “In my conversation with President Biden, I conveyed the full range of perspectives and conclusions about the way forward that the caucus has shared in our recent discussions.”
As the presidential conventions approach, a Democratic leadership aide emphasized that time was running out, and if Mr Biden does not step aside in the coming weeks, the party will have to unite behind him.
