Jamie Metzl, who served President Biden during the Clinton administration and later on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has publicly called for Biden to step aside from the 2024 presidential election. Metzl, who describes Biden as a personal hero and a great American patriot, expressed concern over Biden’s physical capacity to serve another term. He believes that Biden’s performance in the first presidential debate highlighted the potential challenges of leading the country at his age.
Metzl acknowledged Biden’s accomplishments during his first term, praising his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and his efforts to repair international alliances. However, he argues that the demanding nature of the presidency requires a level of physical and mental vigor that Biden may not be able to maintain.
He proposes that Biden announce he will not seek re-election and that the Democratic Party hold an open convention, allowing other candidates to emerge and compete for the nomination. Metzl believes this would give the party a chance to present a more robust and energetic candidate to the electorate.
While acknowledging the difficulty of replacing Biden as the Democratic nominee so late in the game, Metzl argues that it’s necessary to be honest about the challenges Biden faces. He suggests that if Biden and his team were to express uncertainty about their path forward, it would effectively signal the end of his campaign.
Metzl also believes that Biden’s performance in the debate has made it difficult for him to rebrand himself to the American people. He feels that the public saw a decline in Biden’s capabilities and that it would be challenging to convince voters that he has the stamina to lead the nation for another term.
Metzl points to a number of potential candidates who could replace Biden, including Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. He acknowledges the difficulty of such a late entry into the race, noting that it took extensive campaigning for figures like Bill Clinton and Barack Obama to become well-known before winning the presidency. However, he believes that the party needs to consider all options to ensure that they present a strong and capable candidate to the American people.
Despite his call for Biden to step aside, Metzl stated that he would vote for Biden if he remains on the ticket in November. He explained that his opposition to Donald Trump stems from his belief that Trump is unfit for the presidency, having damaged democratic institutions and undermined faith in American democracy.
Metzl emphasized the importance of choosing a leader who can effectively address the challenges facing the nation. He argues that Biden’s age and the demands of the presidency make it difficult for him to offer the leadership needed for the next four years. He believes that Biden, as a dedicated and patriotic individual, should consider stepping aside to allow a new generation to lead the country forward.
