President Joe Biden remains resolute that the decision for the 2024 election rests with the voters, not the Democrats on Capitol Hill. However, there is a growing chorus of Democratic voices urging him to step aside. This includes donors, strategists, lawmakers, and constituents who believe he should make way for new leadership.
Despite efforts to reset his campaign and demonstrate his capability to serve another term, the party remains divided. On Saturday, Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota became the fifth Democratic lawmaker to publicly suggest Biden should not run again. Citing Biden’s performance in the debate with Donald Trump and his “lack of a forceful response,” Craig called for Biden to step aside and allow a new generation of leaders to emerge.
With the Democratic convention approaching and Election Day just four months away, the internal party struggle cannot continue much longer. Senior lawmakers like Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and Rep. James Clyburn have started to rally behind Biden, attempting to unify the party. Clyburn, after Biden’s recent interview with ABC, stated, “Biden is who our country needs.”
Biden’s campaign announced a biweekly meeting with all 10 of the campaign’s national co-chairs, including Clyburn, to discuss their shared commitment to winning the 2024 race. Despite this, the silence from many House Democrats suggests that not all are convinced by Biden’s performance. More calls for him to step aside are expected when lawmakers return to Washington.
Biden, with no public schedule on Saturday, will resume campaigning in Philadelphia on Sunday. The coming week includes hosting the NATO summit and a scheduled news conference.
Vice President Kamala Harris, campaigning in New Orleans, avoided questions about Biden stepping away. The president’s interview with ABC, intended to get the campaign back on track, has instead stirred disappointment within the party. Even within the White House, there are concerns that the interview wasn’t enough to shift the narrative.
Campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez has been urging lawmakers and officials not to voice their concerns publicly. However, many Democrats remain uncertain about the path forward. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green acknowledged the uncertainty but stressed the need to respect Biden’s decision and support him if he remains the nominee.
Democratic leaders in the House and Senate are organizing meetings to discuss options, with some lawmakers hearing increasing concerns from constituents. A Democratic donor reported dissatisfaction among fellow donors, particularly due to Biden’s dismissal of concerns about his age.
Biden has firmly rejected calls to step down, telling voters and reporters that he is committed to the race. He dismissed polling that shows concerns about his age, pointing to his 2020 victory and the 2022 midterms as evidence of his capability.
In his interview, Biden emphasized the importance of large, energetic rallies to turn the race around and criticized Trump for his handling of the COVID pandemic and other issues. Meanwhile, support for Trump among Republicans remains strong, with the former president gaining momentum despite being three years younger than Biden.
