Democrats are now openly expressing that “Biden shouldn’t have run again,” a sentiment gaining traction as President Joe Biden’s cognitive issues and the administration’s handling of them come back into focus. This shift in conversation coincides with the upcoming release of a new book, “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline and His Catastrophic Choice,” by CNN’s Jake Tupper and Axios’s Alex Thompson.
Representative Ro Khanna from California, who supported Biden in the 2024 election but has been viewed as a candidate for the 2028 race, admitted this week that perhaps Biden should not pursue a second term. Additionally, Beto O’Rourke, who was once a prominent voice in the 2020 Democratic campaign, criticized Biden’s reelection bid, suggesting it jeopardizes the future for many Americans.
In an interview on “Story” with Martha McCollum, Khanna reflected on Biden’s health and debate performances, saying, “we need to be honest as a party about our mistakes.” When pressed further, he clearly stated, “he shouldn’t run.” Yet, he also acknowledged that he didn’t have the full context of Biden’s situation at the time. It’s a bit complicated, right?
O’Rourke reinforced Khanna’s call for accountability, labeling Biden’s reelection decision as a “bad mistake.” He emphasized that Biden’s campaign rationale revolved around the claim that he alone could stop Donald Trump, a promise O’Rourke believes he failed to fulfill. The repercussions of this failure, according to him, extend beyond the current generations and could affect future ones.
Excerpts from Tupper and Thompson’s book reveal internal discussions within the administration about Biden’s declining health, even touching on the controversial idea of using a wheelchair for public appearances. Both O’Rourke and Khanna agree that Democrats urgently need to evaluate their own presidential prospects and that open discussions about their choices could pave the way for future candidates.
“There should have been an open primary,” Khanna asserted. Meanwhile, O’Rourke suggested that the odds stacked against Democrats are largely due to Biden’s reelection bid rather than an assessment of who might be the best talent.
Despite his critical remarks, O’Rourke had previously expressed his support for Biden, claiming Trump poses a significant threat to democracy, and that voting for Biden was the best option available. He praised Biden’s accomplishments in improving the economy and tackling childhood poverty, yet he is now vocal about the critical need for Democrats to address their missteps.
Even Biden’s former national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, has had to admit that Biden’s debate performance raised eyebrows, stating, “I think that was a shock to everyone.” There’s a palpable tension within the party as they navigate these complicated dynamics and the impending 2024 elections.
A response from a Biden spokesperson is still pending, underlining the uncertain atmosphere surrounding the current administration’s future plans.
