President Joe Biden is facing a growing number of Democrats who are calling on him to quit his re-election campaign following his disastrous debate performance against former President Donald Trump late last month.
Biden’s performance — in which he froze, forgot words, made awkward sounds, slurred his words, stood with his mouth open, and made numerous false claims — set off a panic within the party as Biden looked weak, old, and senile — especially in comparison to Trump, as the two were both visible on a split screen for the majority of the event.
Following the debate, polls have shown Trump’s lead over Biden become even more dominate as the president falls behind across the country, especially in swing states. The Wall Street Journal found that 80% of voters now believe that Biden is too old to be president.
Questions about Biden’s mental fitness for office have come under significantly greater scrutiny following the debate as the media is no longer able to ignore and coverup Biden’s declining cognition. The White House confirmed this week that Biden has been repeatedly evaluated by a leading expert on Parkinson’s disease, Dr. Kevin Cannard.
Dr. Tom Pitts, a Democrat who is a quadruple board-certified neurologist based in New York City, said during an NBC News interview this week that Biden “definitely has” Parkinson’s disease.
In response to Biden falling apart just months before the election, 12 elected Democrats — who are in Congress or who are governors or Lt. governors — have called on him to drop out of the race, including:
(This list will be updated as more Democrats call on Biden to drop out)
July 10:
New York Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado (D): “He can add to his legacy, showing his strength and grace, by ending his campaign and making room for a new leader.”
July 9:
Rep. Pat Ryan (D-NY): “For the good of our country, for my two young kids, I’m asking Joe Biden to step aside in the upcoming election and deliver on the promise to be a bridge to a new generation of leaders.”
July 8:
Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ): “Because I know President Biden cares deeply about the future of our country, I am asking that he declare that he won’t run for reelection and will help lead us through a process toward a new nominee.”
July 7:
Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA): Called on Biden to drop out during a phone call over the weekend, according to NBC News.
Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY): Called on Biden to drop out during a phone call over the weekend, according to NBC News.
Rep. Joseph Morelle (D-NY): Called on Biden to drop out during a phone call over the weekend, according to NBC News.
Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA): “I think he should step aside. I think it’s become clear he’s not the best person to carry the Democratic message.”
July 6:
Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN): “There is simply too much at stake to risk a second Donald Trump presidency. That’s why I respectfully call on President Biden to step aside as the Democratic nominee.”
July 5:
Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL): “Mr. President, your legacy is set… The only thing that you can do now to cement that for all time and prevent utter catastrophe is to step down and let someone else do this.”
July 4:
Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA): “President Biden has done enormous service to our country, but now is the time for him to follow in one of our founding father, George Washington’s footsteps and step aside to let new leaders rise up and run against Donald Trump.”
July 3:
Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ): “What he needs to do is shoulder the responsibility for keeping that seat — and part of that responsibility is to get out of this race.”
July 2:
Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX): “I am hopeful that he will make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw. I respectfully call on him to do so.”
Beata Zawrzel / NurPhoto via Getty Images