WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats publicly announce their party’s first President Joe Biden Reasons for withdrawing from the Democratic presidential nomination: Biden’s debate performance for Donald Trump’s failure to “effectively defend his many achievements.”
Rep. Lloyd Doggett, R-Texas, said in a statement Tuesday that Biden “must make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw.”
“My decision to publicly express these strong concerns was not made lightly and does not in any way diminish my respect for all that President Biden has accomplished,” Doggett said. “Unlike President Trump, I know that President Biden’s first commitment has always been to our country, not himself, and I expect him to make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw. I respectfully call on him to withdraw.”
Doggett, who represents Austin and is in his 15th term in Congress, was the first incumbent member of his party to say publicly what many have been whispering behind closed doors since last week’s debate. Biden’s Weak Performance The remarks caused instant panic even among his most ardent supporters, leading many to question whether the 81-year-old politician was the strongest Democratic candidate to take on Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee in November.
In addition to the White House, control of both houses of Congress is also at stake in November, with Democrats having to defend many more Senate seats than Republicans.
Doggett’s shocking remarks came minutes after former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California, told MSNBC on Tuesday that it was a “legitimate question” whether Biden’s awkward performance was “just a one-off or if he’s sick.”
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“It’s fair for people to ask that question of either nominee,” Pelosi said.
Pelosi said she had not spoken to Biden since the debate but stressed that the president is “in the best position possible in terms of understanding the issues and what’s at stake.”
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Associated Press writers Kevin Freaking and Stephen Groves contributed to this report.
