First Senate Democrat calls on Joe Biden to leave presidential race after debate disaster

WASHINGTON – Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., became the first senator to call for President Joe Biden to withdraw from the presidential race, arguing the move would be "for the good of the country."

Biden "has been one of the best presidents of our time," Welch wrote in an opinion piece published in the Washington Post Wednesday night.

"But I, like folks across the country, am worried about November’s election. The stakes could not be higher. We cannot unsee President Biden’s disastrous debate performance. We cannot ignore or dismiss the valid questions raised since that night."

He outlined the threats he sees posed by a second Trump presidency and wrote that polling data has made it clear that the "political peril" to Democrats has increased in crucial states such as Minnesota, New Hampshire, Nevada, Arizona and Georgia since the debate.

"We have asked President Biden to do so much for so many for so long. It has required unmatched selflessness and courage," he said. "We need him to put us first, as he has done before. I urge him to do it now."

It marks a significant shift in the conversation on Capitol Hill surrounding Biden's debate performance and fitness to represent Democrats in the presidential election. During Biden's debate against former President Donald Trump last month, the president struggled to articulate his pitch to voters, not finishing sentences or arguments.

To date, only nine House Democrats have publicly called for him to leave the race, despite widespread concerns expressed behind closed doors in both chambers.

Senate Democrats are set to meet with Biden campaign officials Thursday. Biden has said he is committed to staying in the race and argued that he is the best person to take on Trump in the general election.