Democratic Representative Mike Quigley, from Illinois, has become one of the first lawmakers to publicly call on President Joe Biden to withdraw from the presidential race. Quigley expressed his concerns during an interview with Anderson Cooper, stating that he believes more of his colleagues will join him in the coming week.
Quigley revealed that he had conversations with several fellow lawmakers who share his apprehensions about Biden's candidacy. He emphasized that each member will need to make their own decision on the matter, acknowledging the difficulty of such a choice. Quigley hinted at the possibility of additional lawmakers voicing similar sentiments in the near future.
The primary reason cited by Quigley for his stance is the fear of a second term for former President Donald Trump. He criticized Biden's recent debate performance, describing it as 'horrible' and expressing concern over the negative impact on polling trends. Quigley highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that even a strong candidate would struggle to reverse the current trajectory. Additionally, he raised concerns about donor support waning at a critical juncture, expressing worries about a potential 'red wave' affecting congressional races.
Quigley's public call for Biden to step aside underscores the growing unease within the Democratic Party regarding the current state of the presidential race. As more lawmakers weigh in on the matter, the political landscape leading up to the next election continues to evolve.