Former Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, who served alongside President Biden in Congress for over two decades, is calling on Democrats to pressure the president to withdraw from the 2024 race. This call comes following Biden’s widely criticized performance in the recent CNN presidential debate. Harkin, in an interview with Julie Gammack’s Iowa Potluck, expressed his concern that voter perception leans towards Donald Trump as the candidate best equipped to handle a crisis. He highlighted the stark contrast between Trump’s forceful and direct communication style, despite its inaccuracies, and Biden’s perceived lackluster performance. Harkin believes that despite the flaws in Trump’s rhetoric, his delivery resonated with voters.
Harkin went further, advocating that Democratic senators and governors should urge Biden to release his delegates and step aside, paving the way for a new candidate selection at the convention. He argued that Biden’s recent performance, including his physical demeanor during the debate, demonstrates a decline in his abilities since his State of the Union speech.
These calls for Biden’s withdrawal follow a wave of criticism within the Democratic Party, fueled by concerns about Biden’s age and ability to effectively handle the presidency. Other Democrats, including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Whip James Clyburn, have defended Biden, attributing his poor performance to over-preparation. Despite these differing opinions, the debate performance has sparked a conversation about Biden’s future in the 2024 race.
The Biden campaign has not yet responded to requests for comment from Fox News Digital. However, a campaign ad released after the debate acknowledged Biden’s age but stressed his experience and resilience. It declared that he knows how to handle the job, tell the truth, and get back up after setbacks. The ongoing debate about Biden’s future in the race is likely to continue as the 2024 election cycle progresses.
