Staff Reports
President Joe Biden faces criticism from liberal pundits who argue that he is losing ground to former President Donald Trump. According to the New York Times’s Ezra Klein, a crucial group of voters has turned against Biden specifically, rather than the Democratic party as a whole. This sentiment is echoed by New York magazine’s Jonathan Chait, who notes that mainstream Democratic candidates are performing well in states where Biden is trailing.
In some cases, Democratic candidates in battleground states are distancing themselves from Biden due to concerns raised in focus groups about his age and suitability for office. Some Democrats have called for Biden to drop out of the race, with political consultant Douglas MacKinnon suggesting alternative nominees like California Gov. Gavin Newsom or Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
Liberals sound the alarm: Biden is losing – Washington Examiner https://t.co/98zcZoCGdm
— G Michael Brown (@GMichaelBrown) May 21, 2024
Jeremy Mayer opined in a USA Today op-ed that Biden is now one of the few national Democrats who could potentially get Trump reelected, while also suggesting that Biden should consider allowing the convention to pick the nominee for the first time in decades to generate interest and excitement for the Democrats.
Additionally, Republican political consultant Douglas MacKinnon indicated that many Democrats wish they had someone other than Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris as their nominee. There is discussion among elite Democratic and liberal circles about the possibility of switching out Biden for another candidate, with potential nominees including Gov. Josh Shapiro, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, and Sen. Cory Booker.
Despite these concerns, the Biden campaign is calling for patience, noting that Trump’s polling lead is not insurmountable. However, liberal pundits like Ezra Klein emphasize the importance of changing course when facing a losing position. It remains to be seen if Democratic convention delegates will reach a similar conclusion.
