It’s been two weeks since President Biden’s disastrous presidential debate and so far, the calls for him to step down are not abating. Despite his letter to congressional Democrats insisting he’s staying in the race, prominent figures, like top actor and Democrat fundraiser George Clooney, for example, are joining the chorus of calls to end his campaign. Interestingly, too, the media suddenly has remembered how to do its job. In Congress, nine House Democrats have publicly stated Biden should step aside: Reps. Lloyd Doggett (TX), Raul Grijalva (AZ), Seth Moulton (MA), Mike Quigley (IL), Angie Craig (MN), Adam Smith (WA), Mikie Sherrill (NJ), Pat Ryan (NY), and Earl Blumenauer (OR). On Wednesday evening, a Senate Democrat joined the list.
Writing in The Washington Post, Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont became the first Senate Democrat to call on Biden to exit the race.
Welch, 77, began by praising Biden, saying he saved the country from “a tyrant” and “has been one of the best presidents of our time,” before he said the stakes this election are too high.
“We cannot unsee President Biden’s disastrous debate performance. We cannot ignore or dismiss the valid questions raised since that night,” he continued.
“I understand why President Biden wants to run. He saved us from Donald Trump once and wants to do it again. But he needs to reassess whether he is the best candidate to do so. In my view, he is not," the Democrat senator added. "For the good of the country, I’m calling on President Biden to withdraw from the race.”
Highlighting what he believed to be former President Trump’s flaws, Welch said instead the national conversation has turned to the president’s age and fitness. And only Biden can turn that around.
“I deliver this assessment with sadness. Vermont loves Joe Biden. President Biden and Vice President Harris received a larger vote percentage here than in any other state. But regular Vermonters are worried that he can’t win this time, and they’re terrified of another Trump presidency. These are real concerns of regular voters who I’ve heard from recently…”
In addition to anecdotal evidence, Welch pointed to recent data that “makes it clear that the political peril to Democrats is escalating. States that were once strongholds are now leaning Republican.”
He argued Vice President Harris is “capable” and said there are other swing state governors and senators that could also fit the bill.
“We have asked President Biden to do so much for so many for so long,” he concluded. “It has required unmatched selflessness and courage. We need him to put us first, as he has done before. I urge him to do it now.”