Texas Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett publicly called on President Joe Biden to withdraw as the Democratic nominee for president following the president’s debate performance.
Doggett expressed concerns about Biden’s polling numbers and his performance in the debate, stating that Biden had failed to effectively defend his accomplishments and go after former President Donald Trump.
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The big picture: While acknowledging Biden’s achievements and commitment to the country, Doggett respectfully urged him to make the “painful and difficult decision” to withdraw, emphasizing that his decision was not taken lightly.
- Doggett’s statement makes him the first sitting Democratic member of Congress, House or Senate, to publicly call on Biden to withdraw as the Democratic nominee for president.
- This stance aligns Doggett with a growing cohort of Democrats criticizing Biden’s debate performance and calling for the president to reconsider staying in the presidential race, with former Ohio congressman Tim Ryan also voicing a similar opinion.
What they’re saying: “My decision to make these strong reservations public is not done lightly nor does it in any way diminish my respect for all that President Biden has achieved,” Doggett said. “Recognizing that, unlike Trump, President Biden’s first commitment has always been to our country, not himself, I am hopeful that he will make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw. I respectfully call on him to do so.”
