House Dems continue to support President Joe Biden despite calls for him to step aside

By Ashlee Banks
Special to the AFRO

Several Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives are demanding that President Joe Biden withdraw from the presidential race over health concerns.

U.S. Reps. Lloyd Doggett, (D-Tx.), Raúl Grijalva, (D-Ariz.), Seth Moulton,(D-Mass.), Mike Quigley, (D-Ill.), Angie Craig, (D-Minn.) Mike Sherrill, (D-N.J.) and Adam Smith, (D-Wash.) are doubtful that Biden has what it takes to carry out another presidential term.

They have suggested replacements for Biden which include, Vice President Kamala Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker.

However, Biden has repeatedly stated that he will not step aside.

While on the campaign trail in Wisconsin on July 5, Biden stated that he confirmed he is still running for re-election and will “win again” against former President Donald Trump.

U.S. Hank Johnson, (D-Ga.) said that the backlash Biden is facing stems from a “bad debate performance,” however it will “blow over.” 

Congressional members who believe Biden is no longer fit to serve as president encourage voters to look to alternative candidates following Biden’s debate performance.

On June 27, CNN’s Jake Tapper and Dana Bash moderated a debate between Biden and Trump. During the debate, Biden was spotted wearing a blank stare repeatedly throughout the 90-minute segment, leaving some to question whether the president is struggling with Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Following the debate, Biden met with Democratic governors and blamed his performance on his travel schedule and a lack of sleep.

He also told them that he would no longer schedule events after 8 p.m. to ensure that he gets rest.

Despite some members calling into question whether Biden has the ability to serve, the majority of House Democrats have thrown their support behind the president.

U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman, (D-N.Y.) believes that Biden should remain on the Democratic ticket.

“Joe Biden has been an outstanding president who has preserved and protected our democracy at home and abroad,” said Goldman. “The candidate who should be dropping out of this race is the twice impeached convicted felon who has vowed to destroy our democracy.”

Rep. Johnson stated that he supports the president, however if Biden were to step down and Vice President Harris were to run for office, he would support her as well. 

“I think that she would make an excellent president,” said Johnson.  

However, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, (R-Fla.) said he does not think that Harris would fare well if she became the Democratic Party’s nominee.

“The problem is the voters have spoken,” said Donalds. “Democratic voters chose Joe Biden.”

U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, (D-N.Y.) stated that she has been in talks with Biden and believes Democrats need to shift their attention to matters impacting Americans across the nation such as social security benefits and the cost of living to defeat Trump.

“If we can do that and continue our work on student loans, secure a ceasefire and brings those dollars back into investing in public policy then that’s how we win in November,” said Ocasio-Cortez.

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