An editorial by the New York Times editorial board is calling on President Joe Biden to step aside and pave the way for a new Democratic presidential nominee in the upcoming race against former President Donald Trump. The board published an op-ed on Friday night, stating that Biden’s victory over Trump in 2020 is no longer enough justification for him to be the Democratic nominee this year.
The board made their decision after watching Biden struggle to form coherent sentences and show signs of his advancing age during the first presidential debate. Although he tried to play it down at a rally in North Carolina, stating that he doesn’t debate as well as he used to, the board insisted that Biden is not the same man he was four years ago.
Despite their previous endorsement of Biden, the board warned against forcing voters to choose between Trump’s flaws and Biden’s declining abilities. They suggested that there are other Democrats who are better prepared to present clear and convincing alternatives to a second Trump term.
Democrats are urged to have the courage to speak honestly about Biden’s limitations and consider the stability and security of the country when making their decision. While some commentators may panic, many Democrats, including former presidents Obama and Clinton, have defended Biden. His campaign has tried to downplay the editorial, referencing past endorsements by The New York Times that turned out well for him.