Rep. Adam Schiff said President Biden should “overwhelm” former President Donald Trump, but that his age is keeping him from doing so.
Rep. Schiff (D-Calif.) stopped short of calling on Biden, 81, to drop out of the race but pleaded with him to seek advice from people with “distance and objectivity” on whether to pass the baton.
“Given Joe Biden’s incredible record, Donald Trump’s terrible record, he should beat Donald Trump by a landslide. Joe Biden is running against criminals. It shouldn’t be a close race,” Schiff said Sunday on NBC News’ “Meet the Press.”
“The only reason this race is so close is because of the president’s age.”
Biden has faced criticism over concerns about his age and energy in the aftermath of his debate with Trump late last month.
The president intends to continue his campaign, claiming only “God Almighty” can convince him.
So far, five House Democrats have publicly called on Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race following his disastrous debate defeat.
Schiff sought to uplift the importance of the Nov. 5 presidential election, citing a Supreme Court ruling last week that gives a sitting president absolute immunity for acts performed in office.
“He needs to win overwhelmingly or hand the baton over to someone who can win,” Schiff said.
“Because what the Supreme Court did in its decision was to give almost dictatorial powers to the next person to take that office, whether that be Joe Biden or whoever else.”
President Trump has asked the Supreme Court for presidential immunity to dismiss lawsuits alleging 2020 election interference, but the court has reserved its decision on whether the charges are valid and has asked lower courts for further analysis.
Schiff, the Democratic candidate for California’s vacant Senate seat, praised Biden’s performance as president.
“[Biden] “He’s been an extraordinary president. He’s created millions of jobs. He’s expanded and strengthened the NATO alliance. He’s brought manufacturing back to this country. He’s launched the most aggressive attack on climate change,” he added.
In an interview with ABC News that aired last Friday, Biden downplayed his performance in the debate, explaining that he was “tired” and that it was just a “bad episode.”
Asked how he would feel if he lost the presidential election in January 2025, Biden suggested he’d be OK “as long as I’ve done my best and I’ve done the best job I know I can.”
What to know about the impact of President Biden’s debate performance:
Schiff didn’t seem satisfied with that answer.
“That’s the answer I’m most interested in, too. It’s not just a question of whether he did his best at college, but whether he made the right decision to run or to be his successor,” he said.
The California Democrat also expressed concern about how Biden becoming the party’s standard-bearer could affect lower-ranking candidates.
“If the president doesn’t do well, the concern is what that will do to the lower-ranked races,” he said. “Right now the lower-ranked candidates for the Senate and the House are doing well. They’re all leading. They’re pretty far ahead of the president, but there’s only so far they can lead the president.”
Schiff did not specify what the “right decision” would be for Biden to make, but insisted that if he “takes the time to consult with people and is open-minded about this,” he will act “as Joe Biden always does” and “make the right decision.”
Schiff also lavished praise on his fellow California Democrat, Vice President Kamala Harris, and expressed confidence in her ability to win the Nov. 5 election.
“I think the vice president would be a fantastic president. I think she has the experience, the judgment and the leadership to be an exceptional president,” he said. “I think she has a good chance of winning in a landslide victory.”
Harris has endorsed Biden.
