In a significant development within the Democratic Party, Representative Lloyd Doggett of Texas has called for President Joe Biden to step down as the Democratic nominee for president. This marks the first time a House Democrat has publicly urged Biden to withdraw, citing concerns over Biden’s debate performance against Donald Trump. Doggett, who represents an Austin-based district and is in his 15th term in Congress, emphasized that his decision was made with great respect for Biden's accomplishments but expressed doubt about Biden's ability to effectively defend his record in the face of Trump’s challenge.
In his statement, Doggett said, "Recognising that, unlike Trump, President Biden’s first commitment has always been to our country, not himself, I am hopeful that he will make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw. I respectfully call on him to do so."
The call for Biden to step down comes after what many perceived as a weak debate performance by Biden, causing concern among his supporters about his viability as the strongest Democratic candidate to challenge Trump in the upcoming election. This sentiment has been echoed in private conversations among party members and has now been brought to the public forefront by Doggett’s statement.
Adding to the concern, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told MSNBC that questions about Biden’s performance are legitimate. She noted, "When people ask that question, it’s legitimate - of both candidates." Pelosi, while affirming that Biden is knowledgeable about the issues, acknowledged the concern raised by his debate performance.
The implications of this development are significant, as the Democratic Party faces not only a challenging presidential race but also the task of defending control of both chambers of Congress in the upcoming elections. Doggett’s call for Biden to step down underscores the growing anxiety within the party about their chances in the November election.
