Growing pressure on Biden to withdraw his presidential candidacy after debate performance

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Joe Biden is facing growing pressure to leave the 2024 presidential race following his poor performance in last week's debate against Donald Trump.

Some Democrats believe Biden's candidacy will hurt the party's chances in the November elections.

CNN reported that Biden's disappointing performance in the first presidential debate disturbed several Democrats who voiced fears to the Biden campaign and the White House.

They reportedly said that keeping Biden at the top of the ticket could jeopardize the party's chances of retaining the presidency and retaking the House of Representatives from Republicans.

- White House response

The White House acknowledged Tuesday the feelings and concerns of Americans about Biden's debate performance.

"We understand the concerns. We get it. The president did not have a great night,” spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters, noting that the president had a cold and was hoarse.

She said the president knows how to do the job and that his record has been unprecedented in delivering for the American people.

The network also reported that Lauren Hitt, a Biden campaign spokesperson, said Biden has spoken personally with multiple elected officials in Congress "and across the battlegrounds since the debate.”

Rep. Lloyd Doggett, who represents Austin, Texas, became the first Democratic representative on Wednesday to urge Biden to withdraw from the race.

"I represent the heart of a congressional district once represented by Lyndon Johnson. Under very different circumstances, he made the painful decision to withdraw. President Biden should do the same," Doggett said in a statement.

- Business leaders weigh in

In addition, a CNN poll Wednesday said 75% of voters think the Democratic Party would be more likely to win the presidency if it had a different candidate.

Alongside policymakers on Capitol Hill, business leaders are also urging Biden to withdraw and find a replacement.

"The threat of a second Trump term is such that we must ask President Biden and the Democratic Party to pass the torch of this year's presidential nomination to the next generation of highly capable Democrats," said the Leadership Now Project, a coalition of 400 active and retired executives.

The New York Times also reported that the president has told "a key ally" that he knows he may not be able to salvage his candidacy if he cannot convince the public in the coming days.

According to multiple reports that cited sources, Vice President Kamala Harris will be the top choice to replace Biden if he withdraws.

Other potential candidates being reported include Democratic governors Gov. Gavin Newsom from California and Gretchen Whitmer in Michigan.

Biden is scheduled to meet Democratic governors later Wednesday.

The president gave rambling answers and appeared to lose his train of thought on more than one occasion when he debated the former president, heightening concerns that he might not be fit to serve another four-year term.