Staff Reports
Vermont Senator Peter Welch made headlines on Wednesday as he became the first Democratic senator to publicly call for President Joe Biden to drop his re-election bid. This move by Welch comes after a lackluster debate performance by Biden last month, prompting concerns within the Democratic Party about his viability against former President Donald Trump in the upcoming November election.
In an op-ed for the Washington Post, Welch expressed his worries about Biden’s ability to secure a victory over Trump, citing the president’s debate performance as a significant hurdle. The senator emphasized that Biden should reassess his candidacy and make room for a stronger contender for the country's sake. Welch specifically praised Vice President Kamala Harris as a capable leader who could potentially replace Biden as the Democratic nominee.
Peter Welch becomes first Democratic senator to call for Puppet Biden to drop out #biden ~ https://t.co/7c1Wc41OnV
— MikeKirby (@mikekirbyone) July 11, 2024
While other Democratic House members have also called for Biden to step down, including Oregon Representative Earl Blumenaur, who praised Biden’s accomplishments but emphasized the need to prioritize protecting democracy from Trump, Welch’s public stance as a senator carries significant weight.
Despite the mounting pressure from within his own party, Biden has remained steadfast in his commitment to stay in the race and is poised to officially become the Democratic nominee at the upcoming convention in Chicago. The rift within the Democratic Party over Biden’s candidacy underscores the deep divisions and uncertainties facing the party as they gear up for the crucial election showdown against the Republicans.
