Rep. Lloyd Doggett to Biden: Step Aside, Avoid 'Delivering Us to Trump' in 2024

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) has called on President Joe Biden to step down as the Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential race, citing the need to "save our democracy" and make way for a new generation of leaders.

"Our overriding consideration must be who has the best hope of saving our democracy from an authoritarian takeover by a criminal and his gang...President Biden saved our democracy by delivering us from Trump in 2020. He must not deliver us to Trump in 2024." – Rep. Lloyd Doggett

Doggett, in a statement on Tuesday, acknowledged Biden's achievements, including his response to the pandemic and defeating Trump in 2020. However, he pointed to Biden's recent debate performance against Trump and the exposed concerns about his age and perceived cognitive decline.

Following the debate, many Democrats, including state and federal officials, have echoed these concerns, wondering if Biden is the right candidate to beat Trump again. A group of Democratic governors also sought clarity on the party's election outlook during a call with the president's campaign on Monday.

Doggett, a fixture in Texas Democratic politics, drew a parallel with Lyndon B. Johnson's decision not to run for re-election in 1968, exposing rifts within the party over the Vietnam War. He urged Biden to make the "painful" but necessary decision to withdraw, for the good of the country and the Democratic Party.

Biden is currently the presumptive nominee, but the official confirmation will only come at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, August 19-22. [1] Only then can party leaders take action if they decide to replace Biden.

URL: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/2024/02/07/lloyd-doggett-joe-biden-step-aside-2024/4241440002/

References:

1. "DNC Sets Date for 2024 Convention in Chicago." Politico, Politico, 6 July 2023, www.politico.com/news/2023/07/06/dnc-2024-convention-chicago-1842135.