In a surprising turn of events, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett from Texas has become the first Democrat to publicly urge President Joe Biden to abandon his plans to run for re-election in 2024. The congressman criticized the president’s performance in the recent debate against former President Donald Trump, arguing that he failed to effectively communicate his achievements. Despite Biden’s successful defense of democracy against Trump in 2020, Doggett believes it is not in the country’s best interest for him to lead another Trump presidency in 2024.
During a White House press conference on Tuesday, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed that President Biden is suffering from a cold but that his re-election campaign remains active. Other Democrats, including U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and Senate Leader Chuck Schumer, have expressed concerns about Biden’s health but have stopped short of calling for his withdrawal from the race. While Whitehouse advocates for transparency regarding the president’s health, Schumer has voiced his support for Biden and emphasized their successful collaboration over the past four years.
The Democratic National Committee could officially nominate President Biden as its candidate in mid-July, leading up to the August convention in Chicago. This week, Biden plans to engage with Democratic governors and other party leaders to discuss his future political aspirations. Only time will tell whether he will heed calls for him to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race or whether he will continue on this path towards another term as president of the United States.
