In a surprising move, Texas congressman and Democrat U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas.) has become the first member of his party to publicly call on President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 race. Doggett expressed dissatisfaction with President Biden’s performance in a recent debate against former president Donald Trump, stating that he failed to effectively defend his many accomplishments. Despite saving democracy in 2020, Doggett believes that President Biden should not deliver the nation back to Trump in 2024.
In response to Doggett’s comments, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre assured reporters during a press briefing following the debate that President Biden is still dealing with a cold but that his reelection campaign is still in full swing. While some Democrats have expressed concerns about President Biden’s physical appearance, U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse stopped short of calling for his withdrawal and emphasized the importance of transparency about his condition for a successful and honest campaign.
Despite this setback, Leader Chuck Schumer continues to support President Biden and highlight his accomplishments during his tenure. The Democratic National Committee is expected to formally nominate President Biden as its candidate as early as mid-July, ahead of the August convention in Chicago. This week, President Biden is scheduled to speak with Democratic governors and other party leaders to discuss campaign strategies and garner support for his reelection bid.