Fort Worth US Rep. Marc Veasey: President Joe Biden should step aside as nominee
U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey on Friday joined a growing number of U.S. congressional representatives calling on President Joe Biden to step aside as the Democratic candidate for president in 2024.
Veasey, a Fort Worth Democrat, and three other Democratic members of Congress said that they have “great admiration” for Biden but that widespread public concerns about his age and fitness are jeopardizing “what should be a winning campaign.”
They posted their joint statement on X.
“We believe the most responsible and patriotic thing you can do in this moment is to step aside as our nominee while continuing to lead our party from the White House,” the statement from Veasey, Rep. Chuy Garcia of Illinois, Rep. Jared Huffman of California and Rep. Mark Pocan of Wisconsin.
Veasey was not available for an interview Friday.
The lawmakers said they have a sincere respect for Biden’s decades of public service and a deep appreciation of the work they’ve done together during his tenure, but that “it is now time for you to pass the torch to a new generation of Democratic leaders.”
“We must defeat Donald Trump to save our democracy, protect our alliances and the rules-based international order, and continue building on the strong foundation you have established over the past four years,” the statement reads.
The perceptions about Biden’s age and fitness may not be fair, the lawmakers say, but they’ve “hardened in the aftermath of last month’s debate and are now unlikely to change.”
The lawmakers tell Biden that there is a “deep and talented bench of leaders” led by Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Passing the torch would fundamentally change the trajectory of the campaign,” the statement reads. “It would reinvigorate the race and infuse Democrats with enthusiasm and momentum heading into our convention next month.
Mr. President, you have always put our country and our values first,” it continues. “We call on you to do it once again, so that we can come together and save the country we love.”
Democrats have been divided over whether Biden should drop his presidential bid. U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, an Austin Democrat, has previously called on him to step aside.
Biden’s Campaign Chair Jen O’Malley Dillon pushed back on the idea that Biden would leave the race in a Friday interview on “Morning Joe.”
“You have heard from the president directly time and again: He is in this race to win, and he is our nominee, and he’s going to be our President for a second term,” she said.
This story was originally published July 19, 2024 at 10:36 AM.
