Readers Say

Readers say President Joe Biden should drop his reelection bid. Here’s why.

“He needs to step aside and allow for a more competitive opponent to Trump,” one reader said.

By Annie Jonas

July 8, 2024

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As President Joe Biden attempts to quell growing concerns about his ability to run for reelection after a disastrous debate performance last month, some prominent Massachusetts politicians – and Boston.com readers – are calling for him to step aside. 

Biden’s debate against former president Donald Trump was largely considered disastrous and sent alarm bells ringing across the aisle over his fitness for office and his ability to win reelection.

After the debate debacle, Massachusetts Sen. Jason Lewis took to social media to urge the 81-year-old to respectfully drop his reelection bid.

“President Biden has contributed a lifetime of distinguished public service to our nation. In 2020, he rose to the challenge of defeating Donald Trump and restoring dignity and honor to the presidency. Under his leadership, our country has made tremendous progress. But now it is time for him to step aside,” Lewis wrote. 

Last Thursday, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton went on the record in calling for Biden to cede the spotlight. Gov. Maura Healey followed with remarks on Friday calling for Biden to “listen to the American people and carefully evaluate whether he remains our best hope to defeat Donald Trump.” Healey is the first Democratic governor to publicly nudge the president toward exiting the race, according to POLITICO.

Boston.com readers agree with calls for Biden to exit the presidential race.

When we first asked them to weigh in after Sen. Lewis called on Biden to drop his reelection bid, an overwhelming majority (87%) of the 99 readers who responded to our poll agreed Biden should exit the race and preserve his political legacy.

“I agree with Sen. Lewis. The history of Joe Biden has been strong, wonderful, complicated and steady. It’s time for him to sit back and enjoy his life and savor the glory,” reader Debbie M. from Boston said.

We asked readers again to weigh in after Rep. Moulton and Gov. Healey shared their own comments, and 85% of the 286 readers who responded to our poll said Biden should drop his reelection bid, with 15% in opposition to such a move.

Many readers who said Biden should drop his reelection bid pointed to concerns about his physical and mental fitness to serve in office for another four years. Many suggested a younger candidate take the helm, but some readers were divided over whether or not Vice President Kamala Harris fits the bill.

Below, see a selection of reader responses from both sides of the discussion over whether Biden should stay or exit his presidential bid for reelection. 

Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.

Why readers say Biden should drop his reelection bid

‘Let Vice President Harris run for reelection’

“Biden clearly does not have the stamina for the job and he will continue to deteriorate in a second term. The likelihood of VP Harris having to assume the presidency in a second term is all but certain, if Biden even were to beat Trump. At this point, a second Trump presidency is looking more and more likely without corrective action on the part of the Democrats.”

– Kristen E., Boston

“Everyone saw what happened during that debate. There is no way to sugarcoat a befuddled man by claiming he had a cold. The clips [will] run rampant on the Internet for those that may have missed it. I think Biden should step down now, and let Vice President Harris run for reelection. He has been an excellent president but now it is clear he is too frail for the most important job in the world.”

– Beatrice P., West Tisbury

“He’s clearly not up to the job. If he’s not able to run, he’s not able to serve. There is a long time between now and Jan. 2025. If VP Harris had a shred of integrity she would pursue the 25th amendment. We need leadership.”

– Ralph, Brockton

‘The best option to beat Trump is not [Biden]’

“He needs to step aside and allow for a more competitive opponent to Trump. There is even an argument for him to resign now since if he is unfit to run for president, he surely is then unfit to serve as president.”

– Brett N., Acton

“Joe needs to listen to his own words and put his country above his own ambition. He can certainly be proud of his accomplishments but realize the best option to beat Trump is not him.”

– Dan M., Salem

“He can be an incredible role model by stepping down. It takes courage and integrity to step aside and he can once again lead our country by doing so.”

– Hannah S., Waltham

“President Biden has done a good job as president, particularly in foreign policy. But the threat of Trump is too great and I do not think he can beat him again. It is time for a younger candidate to take over.”

– Steve M., Wrentham

‘We need younger leadership’

“Sadly, President Biden’s age has caught up with him. At the debate, he was a shell of himself, and episodes of the sort are only going to get worse and more frequent. He’s not getting any younger, no matter how much his inner circle might want, wish, or pretend it to be true. Swing voters have never been fooled, especially in swing states where Biden lags well behind. They have been begging for an alternative to Biden (and Trump) from the beginning. It is in the country’s best interest for the Democrats to step up and give it to them. Unfortunately, Harris is not the answer. She’s had four years in the national spotlight to catch on, and she hasn’t. There is no reason to think she is going to catch on in four months. It is time for somebody new.”

– Ed, Maynard

“His cognitive abilities seem to be declining. He looks and sounds weak. He’s too old.”

– Wayne B., Provincetown

“This country needs fresh leadership…on both sides of the aisle.”

– Matthew K., Hingham

“There’s a minimum age for candidates. There should be a maximum age as well. This applies regardless of which candidate I’m supporting.”

– Sean S., Maynard

“If this was your dad and he was still working, you and your family would say, ‘Dad, it’s time to let work go and work on your health.’ The people who still want him to run are really kind of selfish and don’t care about him at all, just the party.”

– Dave, Woburn

“Some politicians at the same/similar age as POTUS, like Bernie [Sanders], have crowds engaged and involved, Bernie has a well constructed response to any question posed to him. That unfortunately is not Biden. We need younger folks and new ideas. Not more of the same. Anyone but Trump, but Biden is stale. I’d love to see AOC run, but I think it’s a long shot.”

– D.Z., Berkshires

“We need younger leadership. Having watched elderly family members decline and thinking about the stresses of being president, Joe Biden is not a viable leader. He needs to bow out and preserve his legacy.”

– Barton S.

‘His public gaffs and obvious decline have weakened the perception of US leadership’

“There are 7-10 states where the presidential election will be decided, 6-8 states where control of the Senate will be decided, and roughly 60 congressional districts will decide control of the House. As a Dem, I want the person who will best drive turnout and enthusiasm up and down the ballot, not a person who is basically being mocked and ridiculed across the political spectrum. Love Joe Biden, but he’s not the same Joe of even 4 years ago, and this narrative is never going to change all the way to November.”

– Tom, MetroWest

“Biden has lost the hearts of the people who voted for him four years ago. He is not capable of doing the job for the next four years.”

– M.Z., Cambridge

“This is long overdue. His public gaffs and obvious decline have weakened the perception of US leadership. He can no longer be relied upon to be a lucid world leader. He is perceived to be a feeble-minded old man.”

– Eddy J., Boston

Why readers say Biden should not drop his reelection bid

“It’s Biden’s decision alone. He owns the delegates. Next question.”

– Tom, Duxbury

“President Biden continues to be an admirable leader of our country. As President, you fill all cabinet positions with competent and knowledgeable people – that is one of the many qualities you look for in a President. Biden had a horrible debate no doubt about that, but at least he is more than competent to handle the duties as President. As for the former President, the only things that come out of his mouth are lies, no platform to run on (always about him). If anyone is unhinged it’s Trump. Listen to the babbling and incoherence of his speeches.”

– John M., Marshfield

“It is too late to turn course. Unless it is Harris, I see no other options. We need to unify behind Biden.”

– Jefferson S., Waltham

“He is the only Democrat who stands a chance of defeating Trump.”

– Andrew R., Lexington

“His record, his cabinet, and people around him are capable, professional and competent. Why are there no demands for the convicted felon to … step aside?”

– CIG

“President Biden is the candidate that we voted for in the primary elections. Everyone knew his strengths and weaknesses. We voted for him. If the Democratic leadership wanted another candidate, they should have pushed for a competitive primary. Nothing has changed, Mr. Biden is the same person.”

– Timmy D., Medway

Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.