Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) speaks to reporters on the steps of the U.S. House of Representatives on June 14. Photo: Kent Nishimura/Getty Images
By Lewis Keene
July 17, 2024
Rep. Adam Schiff has called for Biden to drop out of the 2024 presidential election, saying he has “serious concerns” about whether President Joe Biden can defeat former President Donald Trump in November.
Schiff, a Democrat running for the California Senate, is the most prominent politician to have joined calls to block Biden's reelection. Several Jewish leaders express doubts Biden has been slurring his words and speaking incoherently since the June 27 presidential debate. Schiff said Wednesday: Los Angeles Times.
She said Biden was “one of the most significant presidents in our nation's history, and his lifetime of service as a senator, vice president and now president has made our country better.”
“But our country is at a crossroads.” He continued:“A second term for President Trump would undermine the very foundations of our democracy, and I have serious concerns about whether he can defeat Donald Trump in November.”
While she said it was up to Biden to step down, she urged the president to “pass the baton” — a phrase used by two other Democrats in similar calls recently — and to “preserve the tradition of leadership” by allowing another Democrat to defeat Trump.
The LA Times did not publish the full statement, but Schiff did not appear to address how the Democratic Party would choose an alternative candidate. Biden handily won the 2024 Democratic primary. The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to formally select a presidential candidate in Chicago next month.
Schiff, who gained national attention in 2019 as manager of President Trump's impeachment trial, defeated Rep. Katie Porter in California's March primary and is the favorite to defeat Republican Rep. Steve Garvey in November.
Schiff, who has served in Congress since 2001, is the 20th Democrat to call for Biden to step down and the first since Saturday's shooting by Trump.
Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vermont) called on Biden to drop out of the race on July 10. Other elected leaders, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, have endorsed Biden.
The poll found that nearly two-thirds of Democrats say Biden should withdraw. Associated Press Poll It was released on Wednesday.
Biden is adamant repetition The debate promised to continue the campaign.
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