News   /   Politics

US Democrats ramp up calls for Biden to drop out of 2024 election race

US President Joe Biden (R) and former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump participate in the first presidential debate of the 2024 elections on June 27, 2024. (Photo by AFP)

Top Democratic leaders have increased pressure on US President Joe Biden to drop out of the race for reelection amid worries about his chances against Republican opponent Donald Trump.

Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, Nancy Pelosi, and Adam Schiff, are the latest Democratic leaders who are pressuring Biden to withdraw from the 2024 election, US media reported on Wednesday.

The reports came as California Representative Adam Schiff became the 20th congressional Democrat to publicly call for Biden to drop out of the race.

“While the choice to withdraw from the campaign is President Biden’s alone, I believe it is time for him to pass the torch,” said Schiff in a statement shared by US media outlets.

Also Schumer, the Senate Democratic leader, and Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, told 81-year-old Biden to withdraw from the presidential race, the ABC News broadcaster reported, citing a source familiar with the conversation.

Moreover, CNN reported that former House speaker Pelosi reportedly warned Biden in a recent phone call that polling suggests he may not be able to beat his Republican challenger Trump and could harm Democrats' chances of winning the House of Representatives in November.

A recent poll by AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research revealed that almost two-thirds of Democrats across the United States prefer a different candidate. It indicated that roughly 30% of Democrats expressed strong confidence in Biden's mental capability to effectively serve as president, a slight decrease from the 40% reported in a February poll.

The Democratic president, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday and his health issues have come under scrutiny following the disastrous first televised presidential debate with Trump, has repeatedly rejected calls from Democrats to drop out of the race.

“The President told both leaders he is the nominee of the party, he plans to win, and looks forward to working with both of them to pass his 100 days agenda to help working families,” White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said in a statement.

However, in an interview with BET News yesterday, Biden said that that he would consider stepping down from the presidency in his second term if health concerns required it, despite downplaying the likelihood of such a scenario.

Amidst preparations for the Democratic National Convention in Chicago from August 19 to 22, Democrats are contemplating the possibility of a virtual vote to formally nominate Biden as the party's nominee in early August.

However, there are some members of Congress who are advocating for a delay and have circulated a letter urging the party to hold off on the nomination.


Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir

SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Press TV News Roku