President Joe Biden delivered a steady performance at a high-stakes press conference Thursday, but it was not enough to quell the concerns of anxious Democrats. As questions about his viability continue to plague the party, calls for Biden to step aside are growing louder.
Growing Dissent Among Democrats
Calls for Biden to Withdraw
In a significant development, several Democratic lawmakers publicly called for Biden to withdraw from the presidential race. Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.) stated, “Today I ask President Biden to withdraw from the presidential campaign. The stakes are high, and we are on a losing course.” Similarly, Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, and Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.) also voiced their concerns on social media, urging Biden to step aside.
Mixed Reactions to the Press Conference
Despite fielding questions for 50 minutes on various complex issues, Biden’s performance was marred by several verbal gaffes. Most notably, he mistakenly referred to “Vice President Trump” instead of Kamala Harris. One House Democrat watching the appearance remarked, “Unreal,” reflecting a mixed review. Another Democrat noted, “Overall he sounded coherent but calling Z — President Putin and Harris — VP Trump overshadows the rest of his time.”
Highlights and Lowlights
Biden’s Foreign Policy and Legislative Accomplishments
Biden did showcase his foreign policy experience, including his role in expanding NATO, and defended his legislative achievements. These moments garnered positive feedback from some Democrats. An aide praised Biden’s critique of Trump, texting, “Holy shit — he’s on fire.”
Gaffes Overshadowing Performance
However, the verbal missteps, such as referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Russian President Vladimir Putin at a NATO event, elicited groans from the party. “He has no margin for error,” one House Democrat said. Another Democrat, upon hearing about the mix-up, reacted with disbelief: “No he didn’t. Christ.”
The Path Forward
Democratic Dilemma
The press conference left Democrats in a precarious position. Despite deep discontent with their nominee, Biden’s performance wasn’t bad enough to trigger a widespread movement towards Vice President Kamala Harris or other potential candidates. A senior Democratic aide summed up the sentiment bluntly: “It’s time to suck it up and push the old man over the finish line.”
Uncertainty and Discontent
As Biden’s campaign moves forward, the internal dissent and public gaffes present significant challenges. While Biden’s foreign policy chops and legislative record remain strong points, the growing calls for him to step aside reflect a party grappling with uncertainty and discontent.
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