Which Democrats Have Called for Biden to Drop Out of the Race?
Public calls by elected Democrats for Biden to step aside
19 of 213 Representatives | 1 of 47 Senators | 0 of 23 Governors |
The angst among Democrats over President Biden’s debate performance is intensifying, with some party members voicing concern about his candidacy and some others urging him to withdraw. At least a half-dozen top House Democrats have also reportedly told colleagues privately that Mr. Biden should end his candidacy. A growing number of donors and business leaders have added to the pressure by calling on Mr. Biden to drop out, with some threatening to withhold dollars.
The situation is threatening to divide the party ahead of its national convention next month in Chicago, where Mr. Biden is scheduled to accept the Democratic nomination. Here is what Democratic politicians have said publicly so far.
“I believe the time has come for President Biden to pass the torch.” July 12
“With deep appreciation and love, @joebiden please pass the torch.” July 12
“When you are down — and I think it’s important that President Biden and his team realize that they’re underwater in the polls, if the election was held today, he likely wouldn’t win — you need to change something.” July 12
“His successes speak for themselves. But I also recognize there are serious concerns about whether he is our strongest candidate to win in November and his ability to serve another term.” July 12
“Donald Trump is an existential threat, especially to our Latino communities. And I remain proud to be #RidingWithBidenHarris2024” July 12
“It has become clear over the last several weeks that a change needs to be made.” July 11
“We have heard concerns from people who saw the president on Thursday night. I felt concerned and raised those concerns.” July 1
“For our country’s sake, it is time for the president to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders.” July 11
“Today I ask President Biden to withdraw from the presidential campaign. The stakes are high, and we are on a losing course.” July 11
“The question just now is, is this a candidate who can win the election? Because as much as I love Joe Biden, in those swing states, he’s having a hard time.” July 3
“In 2020, Joe Biden ran for President with the purpose of putting country over party. Today, I am asking him to do that again.” July 11
“I fear if he fails to make the right choice, our democracy will hang in the balance.” July 11
“Americans deserve to feel their president is fit enough to do the job. The crisis of confidence in the President’s leadership needs to come to an end.” July 11
“We all saw what we saw. You can’t undo that.” July 2*
“We must put forth the strongest candidate possible to confront the threat posed by Trump’s promised MAGA authoritarianism. I no longer believe that is Joe Biden.” July 11
“This is solely about the future, about the president’s ability to continue in the most difficult job in the world for another four-year term.” July 11
“I think you should ask Joe Biden if he can win.” July 11, answering the question of whether he thinks the president can prevail in November.
“The President did not just have one ‘bad debate.’ The reality we saw with our own lying eyes is evidence of a deeper challenge.” July 11
“Polling data is not encouraging right now, and I hope the White House takes that into account as well.” July 11
“I don’t think we know that yet.” July 5, answering the question of whether Biden still gives his party the best chance to win in November.
“For the good of the country, I’m calling on President Biden to withdraw from the race.” July 10
“I really do criticize the campaign for a dismissive attitude towards people who are raising questions for discussion.” July 1
“For the good of our country, for my two young kids, I’m asking Joe Biden to step aside in the upcoming election and deliver on the promise to be a bridge to a new generation of leaders.” July 10
“While this is a decision for the president and the first lady, I hope they will come to the conclusion that I and others have: President Biden should not be the Democratic presidential nominee.” July 10
“He can add to his legacy, showing his strength and grace, by ending his campaign and making room for a new leader.” July 10
“And because I know President Biden cares deeply about the future of our country, I am asking that he declare that he won’t run for reelection and will help lead us through a process toward a new nominee.” July 9
“I think that he has a long way to go and I think there are stronger candidates that would be more likely to beat Trump at this point, but if he says that he is going to stay in, he’s the nominee.” July 9
“While President Biden has made clear he feels he is the best candidate to win this election, nothing that has happened over the past 12 days suggests that voters see things the same way.” July 9
“I will continue to support President Biden’s reelection bid.” July 9*
“This is not time to play fantasy president. That’s not what we do in this country. We have a democratic process.” July 9
“I support Joe Biden, and it is time to focus on reelecting him in November.” July 9
“He’s going to be our nominee, and we all have to support him.” July 9
“My view is that the best way to beat Donald Trump is moving forward with the Biden-Harris ticket.” July 9
“I think it’s become clear that he’s not the best person to carry the Democratic message.” July 8
“I do not believe that the President can effectively campaign and win against Donald Trump.” July 6
“The need for him to step aside is more urgent tonight than when I first called for it on Tuesday.” July 5
“I would say: Mr. President, your legacy is set. We owe you the greatest debt of gratitude. The only thing that you can do now to cement that for all time and prevent utter catastrophe is to step down and let someone else do this.” July 5
“It has to be his decision. We have to be honest with ourselves. It wasn’t just a horrible night.” July 2
“President Biden has done enormous service to our country, but now is the time for him to follow in one of our founding father, George Washington’s footsteps and step aside to let new leaders rise up and run against Donald Trump.” July 4
“I deeply respect President Biden and all the great things he has done for America, but I have grave concerns about his ability to defeat Donald Trump.” July 3
“What he needs to do is shoulder the responsibility for keeping that seat — and part of that responsibility is to get out of this race.” July 3
“The time is now for another Democratic candidate to take his place on the November ballot.” July 2
“Another Democrat would have a better shot at beating Trump.” July 2
“After deep reflection over these past few days, I strongly believe that our best path forward is Kamala Harris.” July 1
“I think the president should step aside and let the convention pick a new candidate.” June 30*
“It is absolutely not too late to pick a new candidate.” June 30
“I believe President Biden must do more to demonstrate he can campaign strong enough to beat Donald Trump.” July 8
“President Biden has got to prove to the American people — including me — that he’s up to the job for another four years.” July 8
“In a confidential conversation with other members of House Democratic leadership, I expressed the same concerns that Americans across the country are grappling with, about President Biden’s electability at the top of the ticket.” July 7
“The performance on the debate stage I think rightfully raised questions among the American people about whether the President has the vigor to defeat Donald Trump. And this is an existential risk.” July 7
“Today, he can go down in history as the man who saved America from Trump twice — first by running four years ago, then by passing the torch.” July 7
“Over the coming days, I urge him to listen to the American people and carefully evaluate whether he remains our best hope to defeat Donald Trump.” July 5
“I expect complete transparency from the White House about this issue and a willingness to answer many legitimate questions from the media and voters about his capabilities.” July 5
“I am worried about the president’s ability to continue the campaign. However, I’m looking to be reassured this coming week that this is a one-off, he had a bad night.” July 5*
“People are disappointed with what they saw last week. And I think it’s up to President Biden to answer what kind of path he can be on for the future — to restore confidence, or to pass the torch.” July 4
“We need a course correction. We’ve got to acknowledge that this was not just one bad night.” July 4
“He may be operating at 100 percent capacity. But 14 months into this 18-month campaign, the campaign is losing this argument.” July 4
“President Biden has got to go out there, and in a sustained basis, show he has the stamina and can do the job.” July 3
“People are worried. And we need our strongest, our brightest, our bravest to step up and start to take the reins right now.” July 3
“This White House is going to have to be way less insular than they have been.” July 3
“We have strong people, not just the top of the ticket, but around the ticket, who can be strong surrogates.” July 3
“In order to respond to our constituents’ concerns, we need to demonstrate that the president is fit not just for the job, but for the campaign.” July 3*
“I think it is a legitimate question to say is this an episode or is this a condition?” July 2
“The question is can he effectively prosecute the case against Trump.” July 2*
“In 2025, I believe Trump is going to be in the White House.” July 2
“We’re having a serious conversation about what to do.” June 30*
“He’s always had Nevadans’ backs, whether it’s on the picket lines, protecting our personal freedoms, or lowering costs — now it’s time for us to have his.” July 8
“I believe he is fit to run and am supportive of his reelection campaign.” July 8
“President Joe Biden is the nominee and has been selected by millions of voters across this country, including voters here in Nevada.” July 8
“I support him and I am focused on making sure we win in November.” July 8
“Joe Biden is the candidate. He’s my candidate, and he’s America’s champion. And we need to keep him there.” July 8
“I remain steadfast in my support for @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris.” July 8
“Let’s put an end to the feeding frenzy and support the candidate who’s restored America as a respected world leader and a beacon of hope and prosperity for its people.” July 8
“Joe Biden is going to be our Democratic nominee. We’ve got 120 days to continue to reach out to voters, make the case.” July 7
“Any ‘leader’ calling for President Biden to drop out needs to get their priorities straight and stop undermining this incredible actual leader who has delivered real results for our country.” July 7
“I am proud to support President Biden & Vice President Harris, and I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish over the next four years.” July 7
“As a National Advisory Board member for #BidenHarris2024 and Member of Congress who works side by side with President Biden the choice for American leadership and our democracy is clear. It’s Joe Biden!” July 7
“I don’t care what anybody says — it ain’t going to be no other Democratic candidate.” July 6
“There is no one better suited to continue this country’s progress than him.” July 6
“He is the only one we can count on to defeat Donald Trump. And he will win. I’m 100% ridin’ with Biden!” July 5
“I am a hundred percent with the Biden-Harris ticket, and I’m standing by our president.” July 4
“@JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris have stood with us and we are proud to stand with them.” July 4
“President Biden told us he is definitely running for re-election, he is our nominee and we’ll continue doing everything we can to deliver North Carolina for him.” July 3
“President Joe Biden is in it to win it, and all of us said we pledged our support to him.” July 3
“He is our nominee for President and I’m going to do everything I can to ensure he beats Trump.” July 3
“I suspect people will need to see the president in person and on TV to be convinced he is up to it. He is.” July 3
“The person to defeat Donald Trump is going to be the Joe Biden, Kamala Harris ticket.” July 3*
“Joe Biden is going to be our nominee, unless he decides otherwise.” July 2
“I respect Rep. Doggett’s position but it is one I do not share. I am supporting Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and will work hard to get them reelected.” July 2*
“I stand unapologetically with President Biden, because no, he should not drop out. We must not lose focus.” July 2
“This ain’t the West Wing … we have had a process, millions voted for Joe Biden and we have our nominee!” July 2
“I am proud to support Joe Biden as our nominee and I am behind him 100 percent in the fight to defeat Donald Trump.” July 1
“As the president himself has said, don’t compare him to the almighty, compare him to the alternative. And by that metric, the choice is abundantly clear in this race.” June 30
“Absolutely not.” June 30, answering a question about whether Biden should step aside.
“The only Democrat who has ever beaten Donald Trump is Joe Biden. He is our candidate for November.” June 30
“A setback is nothing more than a setup for a comeback.” June 30
“The only path forward is to continue with President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, not only on the ballot but in the White House.” June 30
“He has made ending gun violence a National priority. We need President Biden in office to continue this work for a second term.” June 29
“One debate doesn’t change how President Biden has delivered for Wisconsin over the last three and a half years. I supported President Biden four years ago, and I support him still today.” June 28*
“And I think the American people understand that this president has delivered. There’s a lot of folks supporting him.” June 28
“President Biden has my full confidence as president and if he chooses to remain in the race, he’ll have my full support.” June 28
“It’s a difference between a bad initial debate and a very bad presidency, which Donald Trump can claim.” June 28
“I am confident that Joe Biden will keep America’s economy humming, create millions of jobs, and will fiercely protect Social Security, Medicare and our basic freedoms and democracy.” June 28
“Joe Biden’s presidency has been among the most productive and successful in American history.” June 28