Stanton Urges Biden to Withdraw from 2024 Race Amid Mounting Democratic Concerns

As President Joe Biden faced a critical moment for his reelection campaign Thursday, Arizona Congressman Greg Stanton, along with moderate Democrats Brad Schneider of Illinois and Ed Case of Hawaii, called for him to withdraw from the race. The appeal highlights mounting concerns about Biden’s suitability for another term.

The request comes amid heightened private discussions on Capitol Hill about Biden’s fitness for office, compounded by recent calls for him to step aside. A solo press conference scheduled at the NATO annual meeting Thursday marks Biden’s first unscripted event since a troubling debate performance on June 27.

Following the debate, elected Democrats pushed Biden to engage in more unscripted appearances, arguing that his frail and sometimes incoherent showing was an isolated incident. Biden dismissed these concerns as coming from party “elites.” However, a recent Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll revealed deeper dissatisfaction among Democratic voters. By a 42%-26% margin, respondents indicated Biden should step aside.

Conversely, the poll indicated 77% of Democrats would accept Vice President Kamala Harris at the top of the ticket, although 53% of overall respondents would be dissatisfied. This developing sentiment puts Biden in a precarious position.

Top Biden campaign surrogates plan to meet with Senate Democrats Thursday to address growing anxieties. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries refrained from taking a public stance on Biden, emphasizing the ongoing and private nature of discussions. Nevertheless, Jeffries pledged to communicate members’ concerns directly to the president.

Calls for Biden to withdraw have come from various quarters of the party, marked by no clear ideological or geographic pattern. Among those urging Biden to step down are Michigan Rep. Hillary Scholten, Rep. Pat Ryan of New York, Oregon’s retiring Rep. Earl Blumenauer, and Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont.

Biden’s support from major Democratic donor George Clooney also waned. Clooney, who recently hosted a significant fundraiser for Biden, criticized the president’s debate performance in a New York Times op-ed, likening it to his 2020 campaign struggles.

Concerns primarily center on the threat Democrats believe Trump poses to democracy. With Trump being a convicted felon and accused of leading efforts to overturn the 2020 election, Democrats feel a more viable candidate is essential to safeguard democratic principles. “This is not just about extending (Biden’s) presidency but protecting democracy,” Blumenauer emphasized.

Although key Democratic leaders have not publicly broken with Biden, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appeared to leave room for Biden to reconsider, suggesting in an MSNBC interview that Biden must make a definitive decision about staying in the race. Despite this, Biden has consistently indicated his intention to continue.

***UPDATE: This story has been updated to reflect calls from Greg Stanton and other moderate Democrats for Biden to end his candidacy. The headline has also been changed to reflect that development.