Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) on Saturday became the fifth Democratic member of Congress to call on Joe Biden to drop out of the race following his disastrous performance in last week’s presidential debate against Donald Trump.
In a lengthy statement, the congresswoman extolled Biden’s “decades of service” and legislative accomplishments, such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the CHIPS and Science Act, before urging him to make way for “a new generation of leaders.”
“If we truly believe that Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans must be stopped, there is only a small window left to make sure we have a candidate best equipped to make the case and win,” Craig said in the statement.
Craig said she was “proud to have the President” sign her bills, including one that capped insulin costs for seniors at $35 per month, but noted his debate performance — and “the lack of a forceful response” to assuage concerned voters — had undone her confidence.
“I do not believe that the President can effectively campaign and win against Donald Trump,” Craig wrote Saturday. “This is not a decision I’ve come to lightly, but there is simply too much at stake to risk a second Donald Trump presidency.
“That’s why I respectfully call on President Biden to step aside.”
Craig has joined a growing congressional chorus of fellow Democrats requesting the same. Texas Rep. Lloyd Doggett became the first on Tuesday, arguing that the president had failed to reassure voters or defend his accomplishments.
In the aftermath of Biden’s shaky performance, Reps. Raúl Grijalva (Ariz.), Mike Quigley (Ill.) and Seth Moulton (Mass.) all gave similar statements. Moulton told Boston radio station WBUR that Biden needs “to let new leaders rise up and run against Donald Trump.”
“Our party has an extraordinary number of talented leaders within it,” Craig said Saturday. “I believe this is an opportunity to put forward an open, fair, and transparent Democratic process to select a new nominee to inspire and unite our great nation.”
In an interview Friday with ABC anchor George Stephanopoulos, the president dismissed polls showing that he’s trailing Trump and called the election “a toss-up.” Biden has maintained his debate performance was merely a “bad night.”