Rep. Mike Levin (D-Calif.) is the latest House Democrat to call on President Joe Biden to drop out of the presidential race, weeks after speaking at the debate.
In a statement Friday, Levin said: Said He said it was time for Biden to “pass the baton,” adding that he was “understandably concerned” about his performance in the June 27 presidential debate with former President Donald Trump.
During the debate, Biden appeared frozen, his voice raspy and he struggled to follow through on his prepared closing statements.
What was that? After a week of rest and preparation, Biden coughs, stumbles and rambles his way through debate
Courtesy of CNN Presidential Debate
“Like many of you, I was naturally concerned about President Biden’s performance in the recent debate,” Levin said in a statement, according to ABC 10 News. “Since then, I have made my views known in an appropriate manner to House Democratic leadership and my colleagues.”
Levin added that he “called on all Americans” to give Biden the opportunity to “make a quick decision” about whether to remain in the presidential race.
Democratic Rep. Mike Levin (California’s 49th District) reversed course and joined San Diego Democratic Rep. Scott Peters in calling on President Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. 10News #Capolitics pic.twitter.com/rHr1hH2r3t
— Spencer Soicher ABC 10 News (@spencersoicher) July 12, 2024
“Let me start by saying that President Biden has been an outstanding leader not only for our country but for the entire free world,” Levin continued.
It is not easy to make this statement. I have the deepest respect for President Biden’s more than 50 years of public service and am incredibly grateful for the work we’ve done together these past three and a half years. But I believe it is time for President Biden to pass the baton.
The California congressman added that Democrats must overcome the immense threat that Trump poses to American freedom and democratic institutions.
Levin’s comments came the day after Biden mistakenly referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as Trump during a NATO press conference and misrepresented Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“President Putin”?! See Biden’s fiasco when he tried to introduce Ukrainian President Zelensky
White House
Weeks after Biden’s debate performance, several Democrats have called on him to drop out of the presidential race.
Several donors, including Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings and other major Hollywood donors, have also called for Biden to withdraw.
Recently, actor George Clooney The New York TimesClooney said he doesn’t believe Democrats can win the November election as long as Biden remains the leading presidential candidate. Clooney’s op-ed came just weeks after he hosted a star-studded fundraiser for Biden.
Multiple sources told CBS News that dozens of Democrats plan to issue further statements calling on Biden to drop out of the presidential race.
