An unprecedented call for Biden’s resignation
A member of Congress, Democrat Lloyd Doggett of Texas, has become the first lawmaker to openly call on President Joe Biden to withdraw from the race for re-election after his debate with former Republican candidate Donald Trump.
Doggett has argued that the Democratic Party must consider who has the best chance of beating Trump in the Nov. 5 election and has said that Biden’s performance in the debate failed to change the trend in the polls, which place him behind of the republican for a year.
The debate as a turning point
The 77-year-old congressman has expressed disappointment in what he sees as Biden’s weak performance in the debate, saying the president failed to effectively defend his achievements or expose Trump’s lies.
Doggett, who has served in the House of Representatives since 1995, said he hoped the debate would give Biden a boost, but instead failed to improve his poll numbers.
A request with great symbolism
Doggett’s petition has great symbolic power, as he represents part of a Texas district that also elected Lyndon Johnson, president between 1963 and 1969, who decided not to run for re-election.
So far, Biden has given no indication that he wants to withdraw from the race, despite public criticism of his performance in the debate.
Feedback and support
Other prominent members of the Democratic Party, such as former senator Claire McCaskill and lawmaker Jamie Raskin, have publicly questioned Biden’s performance, while The New York Times newspaper has called for his withdrawal from the race.
However, figures such as former President Barack Obama have expressed their support for Biden, stressing the importance of maintaining unity around his candidacy.
