First Democrat in Congress calls on Biden to withdraw from 2024 election after debate
Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, became the first sitting Democrat in Congress to call for President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.
WASHINGTON — Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, became the first sitting Democrat in Congress to call for President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, citing his poor debate performance and the fact that he “has trailed Donald Trump” all year in surveys.
“Our overriding consideration must be who has the best hope of saving our democracy from an authoritarian takeover by a criminal and his gang. Too much is at stake to risk a Trump victory—too great a risk to assume that what could not be turned around in a year, what was not turned around in the debate, can be turned around now," Doggett said in a statement Tuesday. "President Biden saved our democracy by delivering us from Trump in 2020. He must not deliver us to Trump in 2024."
While numerous Democrats have privately expressed concerns or suggested anonymously that Biden leave the race, Doggett, who is 77, is the first lawmaker to say it openly. He represents a blue district based in Austin and has served in Congress since 1995.
“I represent the heart of a congressional district once represented by Lyndon Johnson," he continued. "Under very different circumstances, he made the painful decision to withdraw. President Biden should do the same.”
“I am hopeful that he will make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw. I respectfully call on him to do so,” he said.
Rating: 5