Democrats Urge Biden to Step Aside for 2024 Presidential Race

Key Democratic lawmakers from the U.S. Congress have urged President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 Presidential race citing concerns over election success. Despite rank-and-file urging, Democratic leadership continues to support Biden, causing divisions that may benefit Donald Trump, the likely Republican candidate.

Key Democratic lawmakers from the United States Congress have called on President Joe Biden to quit the 2024 Presidential race, according to a report from Politico. These pleas primarily come from rank-and-file lawmakers, although the Democratic Party leadership remains steadfast in publicly endorsing Biden's re-election campaign.

The group calling for Biden to step down includes notable figures such as Jim Hines and Adam Smith, top national security Democrats and ranking members of the Intelligence and Armed Services Committees, respectively. Many of these lawmakers represent 'safe districts' where Biden secured significant victories in 2020. Lloyd Doggett, a veteran lawmaker from Texas and the first to voice this demand, emphasized the need for Biden to make the 'painful decision' to step aside in favor of a stronger candidate.

Seth Moulton from Massachusetts echoed these concerns on Wednesday, warning that Biden's candidacy could lead the Democratic Party to defeat. Other representatives like Eric Sorensen of Illinois, Pat Ryan of New York, Hillary Scholten of Michigan, and Mike Levin of California also share these apprehensions, particularly in districts where Democrats do not have a solid foothold. The fear of Biden's unpopularity making these areas harder to win has rattled many within the party.

Peter Welch of Vermont has publicly urged Biden to step aside, while others have merely questioned his re-election bid. Despite a meeting between Democratic senators and top Biden advisers on Thursday, which did little to allay concerns, no further calls for Biden to back off have surfaced since. Several Democrats have reaffirmed their support for Biden in the upcoming November elections. However, the ideological split within the party is seen as potentially beneficial to Donald Trump, the presumed Republican candidate.

(With inputs from agencies.)