Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) on Wednesday became the ninth House Democrat to publicly call on President Biden to drop out of the race, joining a chorus of lawmakers expressing concern about the president and the Democratic Party’s chances of winning in November’s presidential election.
“No president has accomplished more under difficult circumstances than President Joe Biden,” Blumenauer said in a statement. “He has navigated a global crisis, enacted landmark legislation to combat the climate crisis, recovered from COVID-19, rebuilt and renewed America, and led an economic recovery – these are unprecedented accomplishments.”
But the Oregon Democrat, who is retiring at the end of his current term, said “the question for the country is whether the president should continue to run for reelection.”
“This isn’t just about extending the president’s term, it’s about protecting our democracy,” Blumenauer said. “This is a decision for the president and first lady, but I hope they come to the conclusion, as I and others have, that President Biden should not be the Democratic nominee for president.”
Eight other House Democrats have also publicly called on Biden to drop out of the race: Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Arizona), Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Massachusetts), Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Illinois), Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Rep. Miki Sherrill (D-Jersey) and Rep. Pat Ryan (D-New York).
Blumenauer’s comments underscore deep-seated concerns among House Democrats that, with Biden still on the campaign trail, his candidacy could jeopardize their ability to retain the White House and control the House in November.
Biden has remained adamant in interviews since his disastrous debate defeat that he will continue to campaign, but a trickle of comments from party members, and now celebrities, has highlighted Democrats’ anxiety.
Notably, actor George Clooney, who last month fundraised for the president, called on Biden to drop out of the race in an op-ed published in The New York Times on Wednesday.
According to projections released this week by Decision Desk HQ, Republicans have a 65% chance of retaining the House of Representatives, a 58% chance of taking back the White House, and an 82% chance of winning a majority in the Senate.
Updated 7:13 p.m.
