Democrats ask Biden to withdraw from the race, but there is no unanimity

Divisions among Democrats over Joe Biden’s ability to run for a second term appear to be forcing lawmakers in his party to express their support for the US president.

Biden, 81, has received support from seasoned lawmakers, including congressional leaders Hakeem Jeffries (53) and Charles Schumer (73), who reiterated to the media their public support for the presidential candidate.

A Pew Research Center survey conducted in January 2023 found that the House of Representatives is becoming a space for younger politicians, in contrast to the Senate where the opposite is true. The survey found that the average age of legislators in the Lower House is 57.3 years old; while in the Senate the average is 65.3 years old.

Since there are no term limits, congressmen can remain in office for decades.which has raised alarm bells in recent years, such as when it was revealed in October 2017 that the owner of a pharmacy near Congress had supplied drugs to US lawmakers to treat conditions such as diabetes and Alzheimer’s.

The Hill has collected testimonies from various legislators who have expressed doubts about Biden’s ability to be the presidential candidate, but they themselves have pointed out that trying to force him to resign could affect the campaign.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that the top Democratic leaders who could push for Biden to be replaced by another candidate or for a fairer internal process are also not young, like Nancy Pelosi, who is 84; Jerrold Nadler, 77; James Clyburn, 83; Adriano Espaillat, 69; and Bennie Thompson, 76.

The historic figures could see their mandate threatened if they heed the demands of their voters, who, according to polls, have expressed that due to his age, Biden is no longer effective.

One reason lawmakers can stay in office for so long, Vox noted, is that Democratic primary elections have become less competitive. due to polarization in the United States and “gerrymandering”the political manipulation of electoral district boundaries in order to create disadvantages.

Biden, in turn, has not made the process any easier by attacking the party’s “elites” who want him to leave the race.

As Democrats decide how to confront Trump, a recent poll found the Republican former president has widened his lead over Biden by about six points, up from three the week before. They are now 49 percent to 43 percent.

This week, the Treasury Secretary was questioned about whether the Cabinet has discussed invoking the 25th Amendment, which would allow power to be transferred from the president to Vice President Kamala Harris. if he is considered to be unable to perform his duty.

Meanwhile, presidential spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre sparred with reporters over reports that a neurologist specializing in Parkinson’s has visited the White House eight times in the same period of months.