In a significant development that underscores growing unease within the Democratic Party, Representative Adam Schiff of California has become the most prominent Democrat to publicly urge President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. This call, coupled with reports of a tense exchange between Biden and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, highlights the mounting pressure on the president as the election cycle approaches.
According to CNN, Schiff made his announcement on Wednesday, marking a notable shift in his stance since Biden's widely criticized performance in a recent CNN debate. "While the choice to withdraw from the campaign is President Biden's alone, I believe it is time for him to pass the torch," Schiff said in a statement. "And in doing so, secure his legacy of leadership by allowing us to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming election."
Schiff, who is currently running for US Senate in California and has close ties to Pelosi, expressed concerns about Biden's ability to secure reelection. "Our nation is at a crossroads," he stated, adding, "I have serious concerns about whether the President can defeat Donald Trump in November."
The California representative's call for Biden's withdrawal comes in the wake of a recent failed assassination attempt on former President Trump, making Schiff the first Democrat to urge Biden to step aside since that incident, CNN reported.
In response to Schiff's statement, a Biden campaign official pointed to a July 8 letter from the president to congressional Democrats, reaffirming his intention to remain in the race. The official also highlighted Biden's continued support from Democratic lawmakers, including Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Nanette Barragan.
However, the pressure on Biden extends beyond Schiff's public statement. CNN also reported on a tense exchange between Biden and Pelosi, where the former House speaker allegedly warned the president about his chances in the 2024 election. According to sources familiar with the conversation, Pelosi privately told Biden that polling data suggests he cannot defeat Trump in the upcoming election and that his continued pursuit of a second term could jeopardize Democrats' chances of winning the House in November.
The reported conversation, which is said to have taken place recently, involved a defensive response from Biden, who asserted that he has seen polls indicating he can win. At one point, Pelosi reportedly asked Mike Donilon, a longtime adviser to Biden, to join the call to discuss the data.
When asked for comment on the reported conversation, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates did not address the specific details. Instead, he stated, "President Biden is the nominee of the party. He plans to win and looks forward to working with congressional Democrats to pass his 100 days agenda to help working families."
As the political landscape continues to shift, these developments represent significant moments in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election. The Democratic National Committee is reportedly proceeding with its plan to virtually nominate Biden ahead of the Democratic convention in Chicago next month, despite growing calls from some party officials to reconsider the strategy.
