President Joe Biden is facing pressure from Democratic lawmakers to leave the presidential race, with nearly a dozen lawmakers publicly urging him to drop out. The calls for Biden to step aside have grown to 32 congressional Democrats, including prominent figures like Sen. Martin Heinrich and Rep. Zoe Lofgren.
These calls for Biden to exit the race are seen as a significant break between party leaders and allies in enacting key elements of the Biden agenda. The situation has caused tension within the Democratic Party, with some lawmakers expressing concerns about the impact on crucial House and Senate races down the ballot.
Despite the growing pressure, Biden's campaign is projecting a message that he is not going anywhere. Campaign officials have reiterated Biden's commitment to beating Donald Trump and his intention to continue in the race.
However, the dynamic within the party continues to evolve, with more Democrats publicly voicing their desire for Biden to step down. Some lawmakers have expressed fears that the public pressure may backfire and further entrench Biden in his decision to stay in the race.
While there are concerns about the potential fallout of Biden leaving the race, lawmakers urging him to step aside believe that passing the torch to a new candidate could reinvigorate the campaign and generate enthusiasm among Democrats heading into the convention next month.
Amidst these developments, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) officials have indicated that there is currently no plan for an alternative nominee. The party is set to hold a virtual roll call to renominate Biden, with voting expected to commence after August 1, although a specific date has not been set yet.
The situation remains fluid, with party leaders and lawmakers on both sides of the debate closely monitoring the evolving dynamics within the Democratic Party as the presidential race continues.