Four Congressional Democrats Urge Biden to Bow Out of 2024 Race

TL/DR –

Four additional Democrats in Congress have suggested that President Joe Biden should not be the party’s 2024 nominee for president, bringing the total number to nearly a dozen. The lawmakers, who voiced their opinions during a phone call, include Reps. Adam Smith, Jerry Nadler, Mark Takano and Joe Morelle – all of whom hold top positions on key house committees. There was a consensus among the lawmakers that Vice President Kamala Harris could be a stronger nominee than Biden, and concerns about Biden’s age and his performance at a recent debate were among the reasons given for this belief.

Increased Doubts Among Democrats About Biden’s 2024 Candidacy

Four more Democrats in Congress expressed to fellow lawmakers on a Sunday phone call that President Joe Biden should step aside for another to be the presidential nominee, according to several call participants.

The House Democrats advising Biden to withdraw from the 2024 race included Reps. Adam Smith from Washington, Jerry Nadler and Joe Morelle from New York, and Mark Takano from California. They are all ranking members on essential House committees, increasing the total number of Democrats in Congress questioning Biden’s candidacy to nearly twelve.

The Biden campaign has not yet responded to NBC News’ request for comment. The discussion occurred in a call organized by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and lasted over an hour, during which Biden’s leadership was critically examined by the attendees.

While not all explicitly suggested Biden to bow out, concerns were raised about his capability to defeat former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election. Among the lawmakers, there was considerable sentiment favoring Vice President Kamala Harris as a stronger nominee than Biden.

Existing polls indicate voters’ concerns about Biden’s age, and his debate performance on June 27 has sparked further questions about his suitability as the Democratic candidate to challenge Trump. Democrats in Congress have voiced their worries about Biden’s candidacy both privately and publicly.

The 81-year-old President sat for an interview on Friday with ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos, which did little to quell the ongoing discussions among Democrats that he should withdraw from the race.

—
Read More US News