California Representative Adam Schiff urges President Biden to step aside
California Democratic Representative Adam Schiff has called for President Biden to withdraw from his bid for re-election, according to a statement obtained by NPR and first reported by The LA Times.
Schiff, who is currently running for a Senate seat in California, suggested that Biden should “pass the torch” and “secure his legacy of leadership” by enabling Democrats to defeat Donald Trump.
“Joe Biden has been one of the most consequential presidents in our nation’s history. His lifetime of service as a Senator, Vice President, and now President has improved our country,” Schiff stated. “But our nation is at a crossroads. A second Trump presidency will threaten the very foundation of our democracy, and I have serious concerns about the President’s ability to defeat Donald Trump in November.”
Schiff is the most prominent Democrat to call for Biden to drop out.
In response, the Biden campaign highlighted Biden’s campaign events this week, noting that he is currently in Las Vegas campaigning with members of the Congressional Black and Hispanic caucuses.
Biden has repeatedly stated that he has no intention of dropping out of the race and believes he is the best person to lead the party through the election.
Schiff also mentioned that the decision is entirely up to Biden and pledged to support the party’s nominee, whoever it may be.
Recently, Biden acknowledged lingering doubts within his party. “The story goes that former President Harry Truman said, if you want a friend in Washington, get a dog,” Biden remarked at the NAACP annual convention in Las Vegas. “After the last couple of weeks, I understand what he means.”
Schiff’s statement comes amid renewed calls from concerned Democrats for Biden to step aside. These calls had briefly subsided following an attempted assassination of Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania. However, the evident enthusiasm and confidence of Republicans at the Republican National Convention, along with new polls showing declining support for Biden, are fueling Democratic anxieties.
These frustrations have been intensified as the Democratic National Committee prepares to officially nominate Biden in a virtual roll call vote, which could occur weeks before the party’s convention that begins on August 19 in Chicago.