Staff Reports
Looks like a sinking ship, ladies and gentlemen, and the first rats are jumping overboard. The first Democrat courageous enough to say it out loud is Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas, who's just called on President Joe Biden to pack it up and avoid the embarrassment of a 2024 debacle. Doggett pointed to Biden's laughable debate performance against Trump as the last straw. The Democrat said it's time for Joe to make the "painful and difficult decision" to withdraw, claiming Biden's heart has always been in the right place – you know, unlike Trump, who loves America so much it hurts his critics.
Doggett's sentiment isn't shared by many of his fellow House Democrats who are still clinging to the fantasy that Biden can turn his tanking poll numbers around. Some, however, are warming up to the idea that perhaps the man who forgot the name of his own Secretary of Defense on live TV might not be the best bet against a rejuvenated Donald Trump. Among those Democrats is former Rep. Tim Ryan, who thinks Kamala Harris should take the reins. Considering Harris' own disastrous poll numbers, it's hard to see how that's an upgrade.
Now we have first sitting House Dem calling on Biden to withdraw
Rep. Lloyd Doggett: "Recognizing that unlike Trump, President Biden's first commitment has always been to our country, not himself, I am hopeful that he will make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw." https://t.co/9bmpmHjVbv
— Cami Mondeaux (@cami_mondeaux) July 2, 2024
Ryan lamented Biden's debate performance as the collapse of the "bridge president" narrative he sold voters back in 2020. According to Ryan, Biden was supposed to be the guy to oust Trump and pass the torch to a new generation. Instead, Biden ended up being the torchbearer for another round of cringe-worthy political theater. Rep. Mike Quigley echoed Ryan's concerns, suggesting Biden needs to "be honest with himself" about his chances. Oh, and out of "respect" for Biden's long service, Quigley suggested the president should take a long hard look at his place on the 2024 ballot – Democrats love respect, don't they?
Sure, some Democrats rushed to defend Sleepy Joe, trying their best to spin his performance as merely a bad night rather than a catastrophic failure. Top party leaders, though, are still too chicken to call it what it is: a sinking ship with a captain who can't remember where he parked it. They're desperately hoping Biden's four remaining months will allow him to present a coherent argument for his re-election. Whoever believes that has probably been chugging the same Kool-Aid they used to sell Obamacare.
Meanwhile, the White House is sticking to their script, expressing confidence that Biden can still pull it off. In a recent speech, the president admitted that he's not a "young man" but assured everyone he's got the stamina for round two. According to Biden, he's running because he truly believes he can still do the job. Call it optimism, delusion, or just scorching hot air – either way, Democrats better brace for a bumpy ride if Biden doesn't take Doggett's cue.
It's a comedy of errors, an old-school political drama where everyone knows how it ends, except for the lead actor. Biden's camp keeps insisting they haven't lost the plot, but with more Democrats questioning his viability, it's clear the party's internal melodrama is about to hit a climactic scene. Let's get the popcorn ready; 2024 is shaping up to be quite the show.
