Hello everyone! Buckle up because Washington is buzzing with a political storm. Just when it seemed President Joe Biden was rallying the troops for his reelection bid, the dam has cracked wide open. What started as a trickle of doubts has turned into a flood of calls for a dramatic change at the top of the Democratic ticket.
It all began with some quiet whispers and a few concerned lawmakers. But after Biden’s shaky performance at the June 27 debate against Donald Trump, those whispers have grown into a loud chorus. Even some of the party’s heavyweights are stepping into the fray.
Take Sen. Michael Bennett of Colorado, for instance. He didn’t hold back on CNN, warning that Trump could win by a landslide and drag the Senate and House down with him. Ouch! And just the next morning, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, appearing on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” added her voice to the mix, questioning whether Biden should stay in the race. She emphasized that time is running short, even though Biden has repeatedly stated his intent to run.
Then there’s Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, who voiced his deep concerns about Biden’s chances. U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York stressed the need for a serious reckoning with the down-ballot impact of whoever they nominate. It’s not just about feelings, he said; it’s about the numbers.
Biden’s camp isn’t sitting idle, though. They’re ramping up efforts to shore up support. On Thursday, three senior campaign advisors are set to meet with Senate Democrats. The stakes are high. Although nine House Democrats have publicly called for Biden to step aside, no Democratic senators have gone that far yet. Biden still has solid backing from the Black and Hispanic caucuses, crucial voices in the Democratic coalition.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has been busy holding meetings with Democratic lawmakers to discuss Biden’s candidacy and fitness to serve. He’s promised to relay their concerns directly to Biden. Meanwhile, Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia expressed confidence that Biden will do the right thing for the country.
But the resistance to Biden isn’t just confined to Capitol Hill. High-profile Democrats like actor George Clooney and filmmaker Rob Reiner have also chimed in. Clooney, a major Democratic donor, wrote in a New York Times opinion piece that Biden is no longer the man he once knew and that time is his biggest enemy. Reiner echoed these sentiments on social media, calling for someone younger to take the mantle.
HOLY CR*P.
Remember George Clooney held a fundraiser for Biden where Biden had to be led off stage by Obama after he froze?
Then KJP responded and said the video was a “cheap fake” and “manipulated”
Now George Clooney is admitting that Biden was the same man at that fundraiser… pic.twitter.com/ld0TeEQQ7x
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) July 10, 2024
Biden, however, remains undeterred. During a brief stop at the AFL-CIO headquarters in Washington, he expressed optimism about America’s future, emphasizing unity and collective action. His campaign spokesman, Ammar Moussa, reiterated Biden’s determination to stay in the race.
With the Democratic National Convention just around the corner and the Republicans set to hold their convention next week, time is ticking for the Democrats if they want to find a new nominee. Biden is set to take questions from reporters at a press conference on Thursday, which some Democrats see as a critical test.
Meanwhile, Dems are literally running from reporters:
Democrat Rep. Dan Goldman — a petulant child with a severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome — runs away when pressed on Biden’s cognitive decline. Sad! pic.twitter.com/Vubdod2PND
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 10, 2024
The urgency is palpable. Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon, the ninth House Democrat to call for Biden to step aside, described it as a painful and difficult conclusion. Rep. Pat Ryan of New York, representing a swing district, also urged Biden to step aside for the good of the country.
So, what’s next? The clock is ticking, and the Democratic Party is at a crossroads.
