Doggett, a 77-year-old representative from the state of Texas, who, according to the AP, is serving his 15th term in Congress, praised Biden’s “transformational” first term as president, but said it was time for another member of the party to challenge Trump in the Nov. 5 election.
“My decision to publish these strong reservations were not easy and in no way diminish my respect for all that President Biden has accomplished.” Doggett said in a statement. “I recognize that, unlike Trump, President Biden has always been committed first and foremost our country, not himself, and therefore I hope he will make this painful and difficult decision and resign. I respectfully invite him to do so,” he added.
The president’s team is now trying to convince American voters, of whom an overall majority, according to polls, believes that the 81-year-old Biden is in line for a second term at the head of the US administration too old that the current president is still the best choice for a duel with his predecessor in office. A Reuters poll today showed that a third of Democrats believe that Biden should no longer run for re-election after the televised debate with Trump.
Biden’s uncertain and faltering performance in Thursday’s televised debate with Trump is described by many as a debacle or a disaster, including among Democrats. The President’s team has been hard at work ever since to convince the main sponsors of the election campaign that it was just an accidental indisposition. Biden’s lackluster performance has caused panic among even his staunchest supportersi, which led many to doubt whether this career politician is the strongest Democratic candidate to face Trump in November. The AP agency or the CNN station noted in their comments that With his statement today, Doggett just said out loud what he has been debating more and more behind closed doors since last week democratic legislators.
One of the Democratic members of the House of Representatives told CNN: “There is a large and growing group of Democrats who are concerned about the president’s candidacy, and who represent a wide range of members of the House. We are very concerned about his development and his ability to win. We want to give him space for him to make his own decision (to resign), but if he doesn’t, we will voice our concerns more and more loudly.”
Biden’s meeting with governors on Wednesday, which will officially take place at the White House, but will probably take place mostly virtual, with governors participating remotely, may give the president another opportunity to convince top party officials that he is mentally and physically healthy despite his hazy performance Thursday. A White House official told Reuters that Biden would also meet with top Democratic members of Congress this week in an effort to shore up the support of his party supporters and dispel calls for him to step down.
TV station ABC News reported today that Biden will give her an interview, his first televised appearance since the critically-acclaimed presidential debate. ABC News will air portions of that interview on Friday, the station added.
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives and still an influential member of the Democratic Party, Nancy Pelosi, emphasized in today’s interview with MSNBCand Biden’s numerous legislative accomplishments, but she said it’s OK to wonder whether his debate performance was a matter of one bad evening, or deeper health problems. However, the same thing needs to be looked for in Trump, she added. “I think it’s legitimate to ask whether this is an isolated episode or a general condition. So when people ask that question, it’s a legitimate question, for both candidates.” said Pelosi, 84.