OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Democrats who want President Joe Biden to step aside from being the party’s nominee got some news they are not going to like on Friday.
The president, who is recovering from COVID at his home in Delaware, said he is getting back on the campaign trail next week.
“I look forward to getting back on the campaign trail next week to continue exposing the threat of Donald Trump’s Project 2025 agenda while making the case for my own record and the vision that I have for America: one where we save our democracy, protect our rights and freedoms, and create opportunity for everyone,” the president said via his campaign.
“The stakes are high, and the choice is clear. Together, we will win,” he said.
There has been behind-the-scenes wrangling regarding the Democratic ticket, as the president and Vice President Kamala Harris have faced tragic poll numbers.
Some Democrats have shown support for the president but have been said to want him off the ticket behind the scenes.
“He’s one of the most accomplished American presidents in our history,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said.
“He has the vision … and the track record to make a case to the American people that will result in us being successful in November,” he said.
But many, like Democrat Montana Sen. John Tester, have begged the president to step aside.
“Montanans have put their trust in me to do what is right and it is a responsibility I take seriously. I have worked with President Biden when it has made Montana stronger, and I’ve never been afraid to stand up to him when he is wrong. And while I appreciate his commitment to public service and our country, I believe President Biden should not seek re-election to another term,” he said.
His comments were met with a response from Cedric Richmond, a co-chair of Biden’s re-election campaign when he appeared on MSNBC.
“I like Sen. Tester. I think he’s one of our great fighters in the Democratic Party,” he said. “But on this, I will tell you, I think he’s wrong, and I think that we should be focused on re-electing the president and the vice president, and our senators and our Congress people should be running their race to get re-elected.”
“There’s a lifetime between now and Election Day, and if we focus on what we should, we’ll come out on top,” he said.
But that did not stop the avalanche of Democrats who have called for the president to end his reelection bid.
“[Biden] has been one of the most consequential presidents in our nation’s history, and his lifetime of service as a Senator, a Vice President, and now as President has made our country better,” California Democrat Rep. Adam Schiff, a candidate for Senate, said. “But our nation is at a crossroads. A second Trump presidency will undermine the very foundation of our democracy, and I have serious concerns about whether the President can defeat Donald Trump in November.”
“President Biden has been an incredible President who has led this country back to strength after the Pandemic. I am proud of the work we have done to pass monumental legislation that is leading to the first real investments in our communities in decades,” fellow California Rep. Jim Costa said. “But for the good of the country, I think it is time for the President to pass the torch to the next generation to carry on the legacy he started. Democrats need to unite and deliver their strongest team to the American people in this election.”
“I want to be clear that should you formally become the Democratic nominee for President I will do everything I can to promote your candidacy and to work for your success. Unfortunately, I greatly doubt that the outcome will be positive and our country will pay a dreadful price for that,” another California Democrat Rep. Rep. Zoe Lofgren said.
More than 30 Democrats have called for him to step aside, according to reports.
