Debate Performance Sparks Calls for New Democratic Candidate
President Joe Biden’s performance during the presidential debate Thursday night has ignited calls from some within his own party for a new Democratic candidate to step up before Election Day in November. The debate marked the first face-off of the 2024 election cycle between Biden and former President Donald Trump, who are the presumptive nominees for their respective parties.
Concerns over Biden’s age and cognitive abilities have been raised by critics, with the president now 81 years old. While his supporters have dismissed these concerns, a Biden aide informed the news late Thursday that the president was battling a cold during the debate, which may have affected his performance.
Following the first half of the debate, a number of progressive Democrats voiced their concerns. Andrew Yang, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, saying, “Guys, the Dems should nominate someone else – before it’s too late,” and adding the hashtag “#swapJoeout.”
Journalist and Democrat Nicholas Kristof also expressed his dissatisfaction, suggesting Biden should “reflect on this debate performance and then announce his decision to withdraw from the race, throwing the choice of Democratic nominee to the convention.” Kristof proposed several potential replacements, including Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.
Cenk Uygur, a progressive politician and host of The Young Turks, announced plans to discuss potential replacements for Biden following the debate, stating, “Because at this point it’s obvious that it definitely MUST happen.”
Questions about Biden’s candidacy extended beyond progressive circles. Accounts like Republicans Against Trump asked their followers on X whether Democrats should replace Biden at the convention. Geraldo Rivera, a self-described Republican and frequent Trump critic, questioned Biden’s ability to serve another term, noting, “God love him, but what will President Biden be like a couple years down the road? He loses his train of thought, stumbles and mumbles.”
Despite these calls for a new candidate, some Democratic lawmakers have dismissed the notion of a “plan B” candidate. Earlier this week, Senator Dick Durbin called such speculation “bizarre,” and Senator Richard Blumenthal stated, “I’ve heard no credible plan B, and I’m not counting on a plan B.”
As the debate over Biden’s candidacy intensifies, the Democratic Party faces mounting pressure to either reaffirm their support for the incumbent or consider alternative candidates who may better position them for success in the upcoming election. The forthcoming poll results from The New York Times will likely play a crucial role in shaping the party’s next steps.
