Major newspaper in vital swing state issues shocking ultimatum to Biden after debate flop

• READ MORE: Poll shows how Trump would compare against Biden replacements 

A major newspaper in a vital swing state has issued a shocking front page ultimatum for Biden to drop out of the 2024 presidential race following his 'excruciating' debate flop.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote that 'retirement is now necessary' for the 81-year-old incumbent - asking him to pass the torch to a more competent candidate.

'The unfortunate truth is that Biden should withdraw from the race, for the good of the nation he has served so admirably for half a century,' the editorial board wrote in an op-ed that appeared on the front page of Georgia's largest newspaper Saturday.

It described how the president showed clear signs of cognitive decline at CNN's presidential debate on Thursday, and failed to mention what he would do over the next four years, as well as any accomplishments he had in his first term.

'This wasn't a bad night; it was a confirmation of the worst fears of some of Biden's most ardent supporters - that after 36 years in the US Senate, eight more as vice president and a term in the White House, age has finally caught up to him,' the op-ed read.

The editorial board said Biden should follow in the footsteps of the nation's first president, who famously relinquished power after two four-year terms.

In his famous Farewell Address, George Washington said: 'Everyday the increasing weight of years admonishes me more and more that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it will be welcome.'

'The shade of retirement is now necessary for President Biden,' the Atlanta Journal-Constitution editorial board wrote.

They admitted it would 'require a massive and unprecedented string of legal and regulatory actions' to have Biden bow out and name a successor, but said there are 'a number of talented and principled leaders' for Democrats to choose from.

'If he truly hopes to defeat Trump, he must pass the torch to the next generations of Democratic leaders and urge the party to nominate another candidate at its convention in August,' the editorial said. 

The editorial concluded by noting that 'Biden's candidacy was grounded in his incumbency and the belief of Democratic leaders and pollsters that he stood the best chance of defeating Trump in November.

'That is no longer the case.

'That reality may be difficult to accept for a man whose personal and political lives have been defined by resiliency, but it is the truth,' the editorial said.

'Biden deserves a better exit from public life than the one he endured when he shuffled off the stage Thursday night.

'If he displays the courage and dignity that have defined his political career, he might follow in the footsteps of the nation's first president and welcome his retirement secure in the knowledge that he again served his country with honor.' 

Atlanta Journal-Constitution's scathing editorial followed in the footsteps of The New York Times, which wrote on Friday that Biden appeared to be a 'shadow' of himself.

Unable to ignore the president's performance, the publication put it bluntly, saying: 'Mr. Biden can't continue this race.'  

The Times editorial board conceded that voters 'cannot be expected to ignore what was...plain to see: Mr. Biden is not the man he was four years ago.' 

They further opined that Biden's candidacy is a 'reckless gamble.' 

'There are Democratic leaders better equipped to present clear, compelling and energetic alternatives to a second Trump presidency.' 

But the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's editorial comes as residents in the ritzy neighborhood of Buckhead say they are not sold on either Biden or Trump. 

'I hate to say it, but I don't think I'm on either side,' one voter, Kira, told DailyMail.com when asked about who she was backing before the debate. 

'I think they just forgot about the people, and we're just really struggling out here.'

'I don't think neither one of them is great for us,' she continued. 'I want a woman up there, I mean, I'll take Hillary...I think we can run the country great.'

When pressed on who she will end up voting for, however, Kira said: 'Well, I guess Trump did have our best interest over Biden, so I'll take Trump.' 

One man, Julian, was the only individual to tell DailyMail.com that he was openly backing Biden for president. 

'Overall, I appreciate his policies. I'm understanding what he's done economically. He's been forthcoming. I think as a president, he's shown great leadership in the pandemic. He's showing great leadership now with all the tension, he's great.' 

A recent poll from the local Atlanta Journal-Constitution found that among younger voters inflation and cost of living was the top issues. 

For 35 percent of likely voters aged 18-29, it was the top concern. And more than half of these individuals - 57 percent - reported being worse off financially now than a year ago.

Among this group of likely voters, a tiny 12 percent said they would support Biden while 37 percent said the would vote for Donald Trump.