The Democrats Who Want Biden To Step Down
The Democrats Who Want Biden To Step Down
Is there any pattern to the few House Democrats who have publicly challenged the president?
Two weeks after the debate, the dam is holding for President Biden. He remains adamant that he will accept the nomination in August, telling Morning Joe earlier this week, “Any of these guys that don’t think I should run, run against me. Announce for president, challenge me at the convention.” Elected Democrats across the ideological spectrum are lining up behind Biden, even if many are privately worried about his chances in November.
Nine House Democrats, however, have bucked the line and called for Biden to step aside (a tenth, New York’s Jerry Nadler, walked back his comments Tuesday afternoon). To call for a new nominee this late in the game is no easy decision. The group is risking their relationship with the White House, their fundraising capabilities, and an increased chance of a primary challenger. So who are these nine members—and what sort of districts do they represent?
The group is geographically varied: an expansive border district in Arizona, wealthy suburban districts in Minnesota and Massachusetts, and the heart of deep-blue Austin, Texas. Eight of the nine represent safe Democratic seats; personal electoral concerns likely did not motivate their initial decision to come out against Biden. There are worries, however, that a deeply unpopular Biden could drag down other Democrats. In a Tuesday caucus meeting, Rep. Mark Takano, who represents a Biden +26 seat in Southern California, warned of a poll that actually showed Biden losing his district.
Only one represents a true battleground: Minnesota’s Angie Craig. Trump won her district in 2016 before Biden flipped it blue in 2020. Despite its wealthy, well-educated electorate, MN-2 could flip red if Biden performs especially poorly on Election Day (statewide polls show a close race in Minnesota). Indeed, Craig’s political future could depend on whether Biden remains on the ticket.
The racial and ethnic breakdowns of the districts also differ. Washington’s Adam Smith represents a large Asian population. Takano and Arizona’s Raul Grijalva hold majority-Hispanic seats. Interestingly, none of the districts are home to sizable black populations. All nine are less black than the nation, many significantly so. Among elected Democrats, the Congressional Black Caucus has publicly rallied to Biden’s side. This is not to suggest, however, that black Americans are unanimously behind the president. The recent New York Times poll found that 47 percent of black voters would prefer a different nominee and 53 percent think Biden is too old to be an effective president.
All in all, these nine members represent disparate districts with distinctive demographic profiles. Whether any additional members will join the list in the coming days remains to be seen. Regardless, President Biden’s electoral standing continues to look shaky—and renewed approval from elected Democrats probably won’t change that.
Pelosi legitimated the discussion when she said, the question if whether this is an episode or a condition, and could not say what Biden's condition would be three or four years from now. James Clyuburn, the most distinguished Black member of Congress, followed up by suggesting a mini-primary followed by an open convention (note: no by the anointing of Harris). Others have noted that the "in all good faith" loophole allows delegates to vote their conscience. Biden is beyond repair. Party leaders need to develop a path forward, though delicately they have to do so with timing and a surround of praise that enables Biden to be displaced honorably. For him, does he want to go down in history as the stubborn fool who let a potential dictator win or as the George Washington who puts party and country first and steps aside? He can be a hero -- and I hope he has that in him!