Which Democratic congressman was the first to call on Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race?

Amidst the chaos caused by President Joe Biden’s poor performance compared to Donald Trump in last week’s CNN debate, Texas Rep. Lloyd Doggett publicly called for Biden to end his re-election campaign. Doggett, 77 years old, believes Biden must withdraw from the race in order to give the Democratic Party the best chance of beating Trump in the upcoming elections. He expressed his concerns in a statement, emphasizing the need for a candidate who can save democracy from authoritarian threats.

Doggett’s decision to call for Biden’s withdrawal has not been made lightly, but he believes it is necessary for the greater good of the country. He acknowledges Biden’s achievements but argues that the president’s age and performance in the debate are raising doubts about his ability to defeat Trump. Despite calls from other Democrats, including former Senator Claire McCaskill and legislator Jamie Raskin, for Biden to reconsider his campaign, the president has received support from his family and close advisers.

Biden, however, has shown no signs of backing down and remains committed to continuing his campaign for re-election. His son, Hunter Biden, has been a strong advocate for his father’s candidacy, emphasizing the persona of Biden that he knows and respects. While concerns about Biden’s campaign have been raised by figures like former President Barack Obama and media outlets like The New York Times, the president remains determined to fight for another term in office.

In the midst of this controversy, a CNN poll revealed that a majority of voters believe Democrats would have a better chance of winning the White House if Biden were not the candidate. Other Democrats, including Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Gavin Newsom, have been mentioned as possible replacements, but all would trail behind Trump in a hypothetical presidential race. The poll also showed a decline in Biden’s approval rating, with 45% of respondents strongly disapproving of his performance, marking a new low in his support.

Despite the challenges facing Biden’s campaign, he remains focused on key issues such as social security, healthcare, immigration reform, and environmental protection. Doggett’s call for Biden to withdraw highlights the internal debates within the Democratic Party about the best path forward for the upcoming elections. As the race continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Biden will navigate these challenges and whether he can regain momentum to secure another term in the White House.