Monthly Archives: July 2024

I watched the debate from a pub in Ireland. A man sitting next to me pegged me for a Yank. Sorry about all that screwed no matter what you do, he said before the final minutes of the debate ended. I nodded, accepting his sympathies for my condition as an American during a week when it has been hard to be an American.

It is only when I am not in America that I feel my American-ness. From the moment that blue passport cover places me in a different line at customs, my citizenship speaks louder than my race, gender or religion. Maybe I had to watch that debate from outside of the U.S. to fully appreciate what was happening to us, Americans.

A survey of the political commentariat shows a consensus forming: Joe Biden is fighting the final rounds of a match that the refs wont call but probably should. Usually, after reading all of the news and polls, I turn to the everyday political discourse, which often diverges from that of the professional political watchers. What should scare Biden loyalists is that this time, the two agree. Even the most die-hard Democratic voters can see Bidens decline for what it is an opening for Donald Trump to win his second presidential term.

A few days after that disastrous debate, the Supreme Court finally weighed in on presidential immunity. There is no other way to read its decision than as a signal that whoever owns the Republican Party also owns the power to break the law. Whether he wins or loses, Trump owns the G.O.P., lock, stock and barrel. Im not sure the country has fully accepted what that means.

When the Supreme Court decision was announced I had moved on to Greece. Again, it felt like a portentous place to be as the United States moved closer to an autocracy than it has been since perhaps Reconstruction. Greece prides itself as the birthplace of deliberative democracy. As you walk through the ancient ruins, the biggest ideas to transform human society dont look very big. The buildings where they were debated are crumbling. Modern development dwarfs what were once massive structures to Western ideology. Despite standing for more than 2,000 years, these relics of early democracy feel fragile.

Americans dont build monuments as well made as the ancient Greeks built. The idea has always been that our democratic ideas are the real monuments. The statues and artifice of political memory should never be stronger than those ideas. Sometimes we have made our monuments cheaply, as if to say that having perfected the means of democracy if not its platonic ideal we dont need to bother with strong foundations and materials.

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Opinion | Whoever the Democratic Candidate Is, Americans Have Already Lost - The New York Times

PHILADELPHIA President Biden on Sunday basked in warm applause of a Black congregation in Philadelphia, drawing support from a sanctuary of Black worshipers at a time of tumult and peril for his reelection efforts.

Biden attended a service at Mt. Airy Church of God in Christ in Philadelphia, in a swing state that will serve as a critical proving ground for his campaign reboot. Biden and his aides have insisted that he will not step aside as the Democratic nominee, ignoring a growing number of calls from Democrats for him to bow out after his halting debate performance.

Black voters have been a bedrock of political support for Biden throughout his presidential campaigns. He greeted the congregation by stating: Its good to be home.

Were all imperfect beings, Biden said in brief remarks. We dont know where or what fate will deliver us to or when. But we do know is that we can seek a life of light, hope, love and truth no matter what. We can seek that life.

We have to work together, the president added. Because when we do, you cant stop us.

As he finished his remarks, the crowd chanted: Four more years! Four more years!

In recent days, even as party leaders express private concerns and a growing number of elected officials publicly call on him to drop out, it has been the Black community that has backed Biden most strenuously. From the start of the service, Pastor Louis Felton was emphatic in his support for Biden, urging worshipers to stand and shout, We love you, President Biden!

Biden stood and raised his hands during songs, and linked arms with the pastor next to him during prayer. Felton made a point of noting that the president was sitting next to a 91-year-old bishop, the founder of the church, Ernest C. Morris Sr.

Dont let anyone talk about your age. Youre a young whippersnapper, Felton proclaimed.

The pastor also drew a clear contrast between Bidens actions and a religious tie-in Donald Trump started in March, when he began selling a $60 Bible. This president doesnt sell the Bible. He actually reads the Bible.

Amid rising unease among Democratic members of Congress and governors who have largely remained publicly loyal to Biden the presidents campaign aides scrambled to schedule Sundays events to show Bidens vigor and his intention to forcefully confront Trump.

Earlier Sunday, Biden greeted Democratic Sens. Bob Casey and John Fetterman when he arrived in Pennsylvania. He spoke with each briefly, tapping Fettermans chest with his fist.

Later Sunday, Biden will travel to Harrisburg for a community organizing event with union members and local Democrats. Throughout the day, the president is expected to be joined by Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis.

The appearances with the states two senators and a later one with Shapiro, a rising Democratic star are part of the campaigns carefully orchestrated tableau to show that key figures in the party are standing behind the president. Bidens 22-minute interview with George Stephanopoulos of ABC News, which aired Friday night, did little to change the restive mood of members of his party at a moment when he is sliding further behind in the polls and a majority of Americans say he is no longer fit to hold office.

Five congressional Democrats have called on Biden to drop out of the race, and at least 17 current and former top Democrats as of Saturday have publicly raised concerns about his fitness for office and his ability to defeat Trump. The latest to urge Biden to seek advice beyond his inner circle was Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who is running for the Senate seat of the late Dianne Feinstein.

In a Sunday interview with NBCs Meet the Press, Schiff said Bidens debate performance rightfully raised questions among the American people about whether the president has the vigor to defeat Trump, adding his view that Biden should be mopping the floor with Trump.

Joe Biden is running against a criminal. It should not be even close, and theres only one reason it is close, and thats the presidents age, Schiff said. Hes obviously talked to his family about this, and thats important. But he should seek out people with some distance and objectivity.

Schiff said Biden should be contemplating whether he made the right decision to run or to pass the torch. That is the most important decision for him to make right now, he said.

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a close ally of Biden, said on CNNs State of the Union that the president would have to assuage voters concerns by showing them whether this is still the old Joe Biden. He did not directly answer a question about whether Biden should be his partys nominee.

I support Joe Biden. Period, stop, Murphy said. But I know that there are a lot of voters out there that need to be convinced that Thursday nights debate performance was a bad night. Ultimately, Im supporting Joe Biden. Im going to vote for Joe Biden. But the president needs millions of votes.

On Friday, Biden repeatedly rebuffed questions from Stephanopoulos about whether he would undergo an independent medical evaluation that included neurological and cognitive tests, insisting that he gets a full neurological test every day simply by carrying out his presidential duties. Schiff said both Trump and Biden should undergo cognitive tests.

The next few days will be pivotal in determining whether Biden can maintain the confidence of his party as he and his campaign aides insist that his debate performance was an aberration rather than evidence of cognitive decline.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has scheduled a call Sunday afternoon with top House Democrats, in part to field concerns from members who are worried about the drag that Bidens candidacy could have on down-ballot races.

Lawmakers are returning to Washington on Monday, gathering for the first time after the Fourth of July holiday as they weigh whether the party can prevail in the critical battle for control of the House and Senate in November with Biden as the Democratic Partys nominee. Biden plans to return to the White House on Sunday night, ahead of this weeks NATO summit in Washington. On Thursday, he is planning to hold a rare solo news conference.

Bidens campaign has also added a trip Friday to Michigan, according to a person familiar with the schedule, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss events that had not yet been made public. It will be the third battleground state he has visited in a week.

First lady Jill Biden, who has been a constant presence on the campaign trail since the debate, is planning a three-city campaign swing Monday to Tampa; Wilmington, N.C.; and Columbus, Ga.

Reston reported from Washington. Azi Paybarah and Joby Warrick in Washington contributed to this report.

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Joe Biden seeks to reenergize reelection bid as Democrats are skittish - The Washington Post

Said Biden should step aside

Angie Craig

Representative, Minnesota

I do not believe that the President can effectively campaign and win against Donald Trump. July 6

Lloyd Doggett

Representative, Texas

The need for him to step aside is more urgent tonight than when I first called for it on Tuesday. July 5

Mike Quigley

Representative, Illinois

I would say: Mr. President, your legacy is set. We owe you the greatest debt of gratitude. The only thing that you can do now to cement that for all time and prevent utter catastrophe is to step down and let someone else do this. July 5

Previous statement

It has to be his decision. We have to be honest with ourselves. It wasnt just a horrible night. July 2

Seth Moulton

Representative, Massachusetts

President Biden has done enormous service to our country, but now is the time for him to follow in one of our founding father, George Washingtons footsteps and step aside to let new leaders rise up and run against Donald Trump. July 4

Previous statement

I deeply respect President Biden and all the great things he has done for America, but I have grave concerns about his ability to defeat Donald Trump. July 3

Ral M. Grijalva

Representative, Arizona

What he needs to do is shoulder the responsibility for keeping that seat and part of that responsibility is to get out of this race. July 3

Marianne Williamson

2024 Democratic presidential candidate

The time is now for another Democratic candidate to take his place on the November ballot. July 2

Julin Castro

Former Housing and Urban Development secretary

Another Democrat would have a better shot at beating Trump. July 2

Tim Ryan

Former Representative, Ohio

After deep reflection over these past few days, I strongly believe that our best path forward is Kamala Harris. July 1

Tom Harkin

Former Senator, Iowa

I think the president should step aside and let the convention pick a new candidate. June 30*

R.T. Rybak

Former D.N.C. vice chair

It is absolutely not too late to pick a new candidate. June 30

Expressed concern

Maura Healey

Governor, Massachusetts

Over the coming days, I urge him to listen to the American people and carefully evaluate whether he remains our best hope to defeat Donald Trump. July 5

Ro Khanna

Representative, California

I expect complete transparency from the White House about this issue and a willingness to answer many legitimate questions from the media and voters about his capabilities. July 5

Gerald E. Connolly

Representative, Virginia

I dont think we know that yet. July 5,answering the question of whether Biden still gives his party the best chance to win in November.

Chris Pappas

Representative, New Hampshire

People are disappointed with what they saw last week. And I think its up to President Biden to answer what kind of path he can be on for the future to restore confidence, or to pass the torch. July 4

Jared Huffman

Representative, California

We need a course correction. Weve got to acknowledge that this was not just one bad night. July 4

David Walters

Former governor of Oklahoma

He may be operating at 100 percent capacity. But 14 months into this 18-month campaign, the campaign is losing this argument. July 4

Katie Porter

Representative, California

This White House is going to have to be way less insular than they have been. July 3

Scott Peters

Representative, California

The question just now is, is this a candidate who can win the election? Because as much as I love Joe Biden, in those swing states, hes having a hard time. July 3

Debbie Dingell

Representative, Michigan

President Biden has got to go out there, and in a sustained basis, show he has the stamina and can do the job. July 3

Summer Lee

Representative, Pennsylvania

People are worried. And we need our strongest, our brightest, our bravest to step up and start to take the reins right now. July 3

Jake Auchincloss

Representative, Massachusetts

We have strong people, not just the top of the ticket, but around the ticket, who can be strong surrogates. July 3

Ann McLane Kuster

Representative, New Hampshire

In order to respond to our constituents concerns, we need to demonstrate that the president is fit not just for the job, but for the campaign. July 3*

Nancy Pelosi

Representative, California

I think it is a legitimate question to say is this an episode or is this a condition? July 2

Greg Landsman

Representative, Ohio

The question is can he effectively prosecute the case against Trump. July 2*

Don Davis

Representative, North Carolina

If he is going to stay in, he needs to step up. July 2

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez

Representative, Washington

We all saw what we saw. You cant undo that. July 2*

Jared Golden

Representative, Maine

In 2025, I believe Trump is going to be in the White House. July 2

Sheldon Whitehouse

Senator, Rhode Island

Like a lot of people, I was pretty horrified. July 1*

Peter Welch

Senator, Vermont

I really do criticize the campaign for a dismissive attitude towards people who are raising questions for discussion. July 1

Hillary Scholten

Representative, Michigan

We have heard concerns from people who saw the president on Thursday night. I felt concerned and raised those concerns. July 1

Jamie Raskin

Representative, Maryland

Were having a serious conversation about what to do. June 30*

Expressed support

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Should Biden End His 2024 Campaign? What Prominent Democrats Are Saying - The New York Times

Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, as seen at the Capitol on June 5, 2024. Doggett is the first congressional Democrat to publicly call for President Biden to quit his reelection bid. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption

Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas,, became the first congressional Democrat to call for President Biden to withdraw from his reelection bid, issuing a statement saying that Biden had failed to reassure voters in last week's presidential debate and was trailing his Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump.

Biden, 81, badly stumbled in the debate, seeming at times to lose his train of thought, and struggled to defend his record. He and his campaign have insisted that he would stay in the race and make a comeback despite calls from some Democrats and donors to step back and let another party leader run instead.

In remarks at a fundraising event in McLean, Va., on Tuesday, Biden blamed his debate performance on a punishing travel schedule through many time zones. He had gone to Europe twice in two weeks in June, and also spent time at a Los Angeles fundraiser.

"The fact is that you know, I wasnt very smart," Biden told donors, quipping that he "nearly fell asleep on stage."

Biden and his campaign have been in damage control mode since the debate. This week, that continues. Biden will meet on Wednesday with Democratic governors some attending in person, and some by Zoom. He is separately making calls to congressional leaders.

On Friday, he plans to campaign in Wisconsin, with ABC anchor George Stephanopoulos in tow. And next week, at the NATO leaders' summit in Washington, D.C., Biden will give a full-fledged news conference, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.

Jean-Pierre said Biden "had a cold and a bad night" at the debate. She said that the White House had been transparent about his medical records. Asked directly if he has Alzheimer's disease, dementia or another degenerative illness, Jean-Pierre curtly said, "no."

"I hope you're asking the other guy the same exact question," she said, referring to former President Donald Trump, 78.

Asked about Rep. Doggett's call, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that the congressman was entitled to his opinion. It is a big-tent party," she said. The Biden campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

Immediately following the debate, most House Democrats struggled with how to respond, with many acknowledging the presidents poor performance, but none publicly saying he needed to step aside. But five days later, a new CNN poll showed most voters think Democrats have a better chance with another nominee, and there are signs some Democrats are more willing to break with the White House.

President Biden speaks about extreme weather at the DC Emergency Operations Center in Washington, DC, on July 2. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images/AFP hide caption

Doggett, who represents a safe Democratic district, said that Biden was trailing Trump in most polls. I had hoped that the debate would provide some momentum to change that. It did not, he said in a statement.

"Instead of reassuring voters, the president failed to effectively defend his many accomplishments and expose Trumps many lies," Doggett said.

Top congressional Democrats like former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn, who helped Biden get the 2020 nomination, took to the airwaves over the weekend to defend Biden and pledge support.

But on Tuesday, Pelosis tone appeared to shift, and she opened the door to other Democrats to raise concerns about the presidents ability to continue.

"I think it's a legitimate question to say, is this an episode or is this a condition?" Pelosi said in an interview on MSNBC. "When people ask that question, it's completely legitimate of both candidates."

Ian Krager, a spokesperson for Pelosi, in a written statement to NPR, said, Speaker Pelosi has full confidence in President Biden and looks forward to attending his inauguration on January 20, 2025.

Earlier on Tuesday, Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill., expressed public reservations about the impact on downballot Democrats.

I think his four years are, you know, one of the great presidencies of our lifetime. But I think he has to be honest with himself. This is a decision hes going to have to make, Quigley said on CNN.

He clearly has to understand that his decision not only impacts whos going to serve in the White House the next four years, but whos going to serve in the Senate, whos going to serve in the House, and it will have implications for decades to come, he said.

Two other House Democrats said on Tuesday that they think Trump will win in 2024: Maine Rep. Jared Golden and Washington Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. Both represent swing districts.

"We all saw what we saw, you cant undo that, and the truth I think, is that Biden is going to lose to Trump," Gluesenkamp Perez said on Portland's KATU News.

Golden wrote an op-ed in the Bangor Daily News, and dismissed Biden's argument democracy would be in peril if Trump returns to the Oval Office.

Golden wrote, Democrats post-debate hand-wringing is based on the idea that a Trump victory is not just a political loss, but a unique threat to our democracy. I reject the premise. Unlike Biden and many others, I refuse to participate in a campaign to scare voters with the idea that Trump will end our democratic system.

The House GOPs campaign arm was quick to criticize most Democrats for keeping their opinions about Biden mostly to themselves, or in background quotes to journalists.

The cowards in the Democratic caucus have spent every day after the debate in witness protection, too afraid to say what theyre all thinking, said Jack Pandol, spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Americans remember House Democrats were complicit in covering up and gaslighting the public about the presidents condition, and voters are primed to punish them in November, Pandol said.

Democratic strategists have pointed out that Democratic incumbents in key Senate contests have been outperforming the president in polls for weeks. House Democrats in many swing districts at least for now appear to be seeing the same dynamic, but more calls could come from lawmakers if dramatic changes in internal and public polls emerge in the next few days.

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Rep. Doggett calls on Biden to withdraw. He's the first Democrat in Congress to do so - NPR

All sounds fine in President Bidens world. That devastating debate? Just a bad night. Those dismal poll numbers? Simply inaccurate. The gloomy election predictions? The same old doomsayers, wrong again. The Democrats who want him to drop out? No one has told him that.

For Mr. Biden, the crisis seen by so many Democrats who are not on his payroll and by some who are is nothing more than another bump in the road, another obstacle to overcome as he always has. He does not agree that he is slipping as he ages. He does not accept that he is losing to former President Donald J. Trump. He does not believe much of his own party wants him to step aside.

His prime-time interview that aired on ABC News on Friday night was an exercise not just in damage control but in reality control. For much of his long and storied political career, Mr. Biden has succeeded through sheer force of will, defying the doubters and the skeptics and the scorners to prove that he could do what no one expected. Yet now, in what may be the most threatened moment of his presidency, that self-confidence leaves him increasingly isolated in his own party.

You really see a president in denial and in a bubble, Julin Castro, a former housing secretary who ran against Mr. Biden for the Democratic nomination in 2020, said in an interview. You want a president who can honestly and accurately assess his viability in this race, and that interview did not give confidence at all that hes got a good handle on that.

David Axelrod, a former senior adviser to President Barack Obama who has long expressed worry about Mr. Bidens decision to run again, said the president was rightfully proud of his record. But he is dangerously out-of-touch with the concerns people have about his capacities moving forward and his standing in this race, he wrote on social media.

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Crisis? What Crisis? Biden Rejects Democratic Pessimism. - The New York Times

Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) said Wednesday that hes unsure what Democratic candidate could prevail over Donald Trump in November.

In his first interview since penning an op-ed in the Bangor Daily News, Golden stopped short of calling on President Biden to exit the presidential contest after his faltering debate performance. But he did predict that Biden would lose to Donald Trump in November. He added that hes unsure whether Vice President Harris could beat Trump, either.

Asked whether he believes there is a Democrat who could prevail over Trump, Golden said, I dont know who can beat Trump in this current moment.

And he panned the Biden campaigns focus on safeguarding democratic principles as a winning message against Trump, calling it a complete, abject failure.

Golden, who sits in a district Trump won by roughly seven points in 2020, predicted that Biden would lose his Republican-leaning House district in November by a margin larger than Hillary Clinton did in 2016. He warned that a major loss in his district could be a warning sign for other vulnerable Democrats who have voted with the Biden agenda more often than he has.

Goldens perspective comes as his fellow House Democratic colleagues continue to grapple with whether Biden should remain atop the Democratic ticket after a debate performance last week that has brought about more questions than reassuring answers from Bidens orbit. Only one has so far publicly called on Biden to step aside: Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Tex.).

Golden and Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.), who co-chair the centrist Blue Dog Coalition, both publicly said Tuesday that Biden would not fare well in their swing districts.

But they stopped short of calling for Biden to exit.

I recognize that Im in not in a position to make that decision for Joe Biden. He is, Golden said. What I can say is what I think is going to happen if he is the nominee.

Golden offered that perhaps another Democrat could beat Trump. But he didnt say who, and he was bearish on Harriss chances given that he hasnt heard from constituents about her and how she fares in his district.

I would love someone running for president in either party or both candidates to be fresh faces, like young with new ideas, not retreads of the past, Golden said. And thats not what weve been given by either party in Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

Goldens decision to speak out was not meant to coincide with Doggetts. Though he did not watch the debate, Golden said he knew he would have to put out a statement about Biden because its what everyone in America is thinking and talking about. He said it was notable to him that former House speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said on MSNBC on Tuesday that its a legitimate question to say, Is this an episode or is this a condition about the president.

Goldens message to his party goes beyond his warning about Biden and directly against a core argument Democrats are making. The Maine Democrat acknowledges the need to run local races but said hes concerned that Democrats may be too keen on attacking Trump as a threat to democracy. He says, rather, that Democrats should be focusing on how their constituents are feeling economically and socially.

The preferred campaign message of not just Joe Biden but a lot of Democrats that this election is about saving democracy happens to be a complete, abject failure. If youre trying to appeal to, lets say, just regular people or to, like, swing voters in swing states, its very clearly going to be about the economy, as it almost always is, he said. When you look at the last Congress, like, theres plenty of good things that we did.

Unlike most of his colleagues, Golden believes Democrats must tout the strength of American democracy even though it was tested on Jan. 6, 2021. But he says the message should be that the system held because of government leaders who were willing to do the right thing and stand up to Trump and uphold the law. He believes Trump would be surrounded by similar people during a second Trump administration.

He echoes what many House Democrats have recognized since the debate: Its imperative for them to win back the majority because they may be the only chamber that could act as a check on another Trump administration.

Golden stated, for instance, that the House could block a Republican majoritys attempts to reimpose Trumps 2017 tax law, which slashed taxes for corporations and rich Americans.

Weve got good new laws that the Congress passed that we can run on. We should be talking about those things and reminding people, Listen, when the Republicans are in control, like, you know what they do? They try and cut taxes for the rich, he said.

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Jared Golden unsure whether any Democrat can beat Trump in November - The Washington Post

In the week since his highly criticized performance in the first televised debate of the 2024 presidential election, President Biden has remained defiant in the face of growing concern about his fitness for reelection.

But his efforts to reassure voters of his ability to beat former President Donald Trump a second time have done little to suppress the mounting pressure from his party and a volley of pundits for him to reconsider his candidacy.

Five elected Democrats have now called for Biden to step aside in his reelection bid, and a number of other party leaders have voiced concerns.

A string of editorials from mainstream news outlets calling for Biden to suspend his reelection campaign have been followed by reports like one published by the New York Times on Tuesday about Bidens increasingly common and worrisome mental lapses. On Wednesday, Bloomberg Government reported that dozens of Democratic lawmakers are considering signing a letter demanding President Joe Biden withdraw from the race, citing a senior party official.

Biden, meanwhile, has shown no signs of backing down. He sat for his first post-debate interview with ABC News George Stephanopoulos on Friday and rallied in Wisconsin before campaigning in Pennsylvania on Sunday.

Yahoo News has compiled a running list of all the Democrats who have publicly expressed concerns about Biden continuing his campaign in the wake of the debate. Check back here as this article will be continually updated.

Rep. Angie Craig

Craig, a Democrat who represents Minnesota's 2nd congressional district, issued a statement on Saturday, hours after the ABC interview, for Biden to step aside in the 2024 race.

While noting her respect for Biden's "decades of service," Craig said "given what I saw and heard from the President during last week's debate in Atlanta, coupled with the lack of a forceful response from the President himself following that debate, I do not believe that the President can effectively campaign and win against Donald Trump.

"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," she added, before calling on Biden to drop out of the race and "allow for a new generation of leaders to step forward."

"There is only a small window left to make sure we have a candidate best equipped to make the case and win," Craig said.

Rep. Mike Quigley

Quigley, an Illinois Democrat, on Friday became the fourth House Democrat to call on Biden to exit the presidential race.

"Mr. President, your legacy is set," he said on MSNBC. "We owe you the greatest debt of gratitude. The only thing that you can do now to cement that for all time and prevent utter catastrophe is to step down and let someone else do this."

Quigley affirmed his decision in comments following Biden's ABC News interview Friday.

The Illinois representative had previously publicly expressed reservations about Biden continuing his campaign, urging the president to "appreciate at this time just how much it impacts not just his race, but all the other races that are coming in November."

Rep. Seth Moulton

Moulton, a Massachusetts Democrat and Iraq war vet, became the third House Democrat to call on Biden to step aside on Thursday. He did so in an interview with Boston radio station WBUR.

"President Biden has done enormous service to our country, but now is the time for him to follow in one of our founding father, George Washington's footsteps and step aside to let new leaders rise up and run against Donald Trump," Moulton told WBUR.

Moulton said the mechanism for choosing a new candidate was "yet to be determined" and could include "some sort of primary process" or that Vice President Kamala Harris could emerge as the presidential nominee.

On Wednesday, Moulton had released a statement that had stopped short of calling for Biden to exit, but had recommended "all viable options" be on the table.

Rep. Ral Grijalva

Grijalva became the second House Democrat to call on Biden to drop out. In an interview, he said, "If hes the candidate, Im going to support him, but I think that this is an opportunity to look elsewhere."

"What he needs to do is shoulder the responsibility for keeping that seat," he continued, "and part of that responsibility is to get out of this race.

Rep. Lloyd Doggett

Doggett was the first Democrat in office to publicly call for Biden to drop out. In a statement, which circulated on X on July 2, Doggett, of Texas, said Bidens debate performance did not reassure voters and Biden failed to effectively defend his many accomplishments and expose Trumps lies.

Following Biden's ABC News interview Friday, Doggett said the "need" for Biden to step aside was growing more urgent every day.

Former Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan

Ryan published an opinion piece for Newsweek on July 1 that called for Kamala Harris to be the new Democratic nominee.

We have to rip the band aid off! Too much is at stake, Ryan wrote in an X post linking out to his article. Its time!

Gov. Maura Healey

The first-term Massachusetts Democrat issued a statement Friday urging Biden to "listen to the American people and carefully evaluate whether he remains our best hope to defeat Donald Trump."

Healey stopped short of calling for Biden to step aside and praised the president by saying he "saved our Democracy in 2020 and has done an outstanding job over the last four years."

"Whatever President Biden decides, I am committed to doing everything in my power to defeat Donald Trump," Healey added.

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez

Perez stopped short of officially calling on Biden to drop out in an interview with an ABC affiliate on July 3. The Washington congresswoman said, The truth, I think, is that Biden is going to lose to Trump. I think the damage has been done by that debate.

Rep. Summer Lee

CBS News reported that during a radio interview, Lee, of Pennsylvania, said that the vice president is the obvious choice for the nominee should Biden decide to drop out.

Rep. Ann McLane Kuster

Kuster, who is the chair of the New Democrat Coalition, told CNN on July 3 that she has conveyed concerns to the White House and the Biden campaign.

In order to respond to our constituents concerns, we need to demonstrate that the president is fit not just for the job but for the campaign, said the New Hampshire congresswoman. They [the insurrectionists] almost killed me on Jan. 6. The stakes are very high. Im trying to save our democracy.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

While Pelosi was a vocal supporter of Biden over the weekend, during a July 2 interview with MSNBC, she pulled back slightly, saying, I think its a legitimate question to say, Is this an episode or is this a condition? of both candidates.

Rep. James Clyburn

Like Pelosi, Clyburn seemed to soften his previous stance on Biden continuing to run in an interview with MSNBC.

I will support [Harris] if [Biden] were to step aside, the South Carolina congressman said.

Former Obama official and former mayor of San Antonio, Julin Castro

Castro told MSNBC on Tuesday that there are strong options out there for Democrats we have a lot of stable folks that I think could do a better job, including Vice President Harris.

Rep. Jared Golden

In an opinion piece published in a local Maine paper titled Donald Trump is going to win the election and democracy will be just fine, Golden said he was not surprised by Bidens debate performance.

The outcome of this election has been clear to me for months: While I dont plan to vote for him, Donald Trump is going to win. And Im OK with that, Golden wrote. The Maine congressman added that he did not plan to vote for Trump. Unlike Biden and many others, I refuse to participate in a campaign to scare voters with the idea that Trump will end our democratic system.

Sen. Peter Welch

In an interview with Semafor, Welch, of Vermont, criticized the Biden campaign's dismissive attitude regarding his debate performance.

Passivity is not the response that is going to work for us. We all have to be self-conscious, he said. We all have to be acutely aware that our obligation is to the country, even more than the party. Thats the obligation we have whats best for the country.

Rep. Debbie Dingell

One interview isnt going to fix this, Dingell, of Michigan, said in an interview with CNN. I think the campaigns got to listen to people. And by the way, I think the campaign needs to listen to us.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse

In a July 1 interview with CBS affiliate WPRI, Whitehouse, of Rhode Island, said he was pretty horrified after watching the debate.

I have never seen that happen before, he said about Bidens performance. I think people want to make sure that this is a campaign thats ready to go and win, that the president and his team are being candid with us about his condition, that this was a real anomaly and not just the way he is these days.

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Here are the Democrats who are calling for Biden to end his reelection bid or voicing concerns about his candidacy - Yahoo! Voices

Up First briefing: Up-and-coming Democrats; Labour wins U.K. election Biden says he's staying in the 2024 race. If he changes his mind, these Democrats could be potential candidates, this year or in 2028. And, Labour gets a historic victory in the U.K. elections.

Good morning. You're reading the Up First newsletter.Subscribehere to get it delivered to your inbox, andlistento the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day.

Britains Labour Party won a landslide election victory, giving its leader, Keir Starmer, one of the largest parliamentary majorities in British history. This victory marks the return of a center-left government after 14 years of Conservative government. Outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delivered brief remarks, telling voters, "There is much to learn and reflect on, and I take responsibility for the loss."

Labour Leader Keir Starmer celebrates winning the 2024 general election with a speech at Tate Modern in London on Friday. Ricky Vigil/Getty Images Europe hide caption

American taxpayers are throwing tons of money at the Colorado River. The funds aim to help the 40 million people who rely on the river to squeeze out every last drop as climate change shrinks its flow to critical levels. Drinking water, food production and hydroelectric power are all at risk.

Florida is one of the states most vulnerable to climate change in the U.S. Residents face hurricanes, sea level rise and heat waves. Its also solidly Republican, with a Republican governor, two Republican senators and Republican majorities in the state legislature. This fall, the state is expected to vote for Donald Trump, who has questioned the existence of manmade climate change.

The fallout from last week's U.S. presidential debate continues to stir political turmoil. President Biden insists he's staying in the race despite calls from some Democrats to reconsider following concerns about his weak debate performance. This debate poses a critical question for the party and the public: If not Biden, then who? Here's a list of potential candidates being discussed for this year or possibly 2028.

Vehicles drive toward downtown Minneapolis on Interstate 35 in Minneapolis, Minn., on Sunday, May 26, 2024. Jenn Ackerman for NPR hide caption

This essay was written by Dara Kerr, NPR business desk reporter.

Uber and Lyft drivers have rallied for minimum wage in cities and states nationwide for years. But something strange caught my attention in Minnesota last year. First, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz vetoed a minimum wage bill that had passed the state legislature in 2023. Then, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey did the same with a minimum wage ordinance that passed the City Council.

It seemed like something was up. Both Walz and Frey are labor-friendly Democrats who say they support fair pay for ride-hail drivers.

So, I filed public records requests asking for emails between Uber and Lyft and the governor's and mayors offices. Those documents revealed the companies lobbying playbook.

Uber and Lyft barraged the politicians with emails. The companies collected veto request letters from community groups, sent statistics on skyrocketing ride fares (without citing data), and suggested language for the lawmakers to use in announcements. Uber and Lyft threatened to leave the city or state if a minimum wage went into effect.

At one point, a lobbyist said the proposed minimum wage would have a catastrophic impact and create transportation deserts. Spokespeople for Uber and Lyft told NPR that the bills would have left the companies unable to sustain their businesses in Minnesota.

How did it work out? Heres what happened after a lot of twists and turns for the drivers, politicians and Uber and Lyfts lobbyists.

Crystal Wilkinson's praisesong biscuits Felix Cruz hide caption

Check out what NPR is watching, reading and listening to this weekend:

Movies: Netflix's A Family Affair stars Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron in a fun romcom where a boss tries to woo his assistants mom. Pop Culture Happy Hour's Linda Holmes says it works well as a romcom because of its star power, solid writing and directing.

TV: Watchers, were in for a long, hot summer. If you are stuck inside and need a new show to watch, our critics have you covered. Theyve scoured broadcast and streaming options to recommend the best shows for June, July and August.

Books: It's Been A Minute host Brittany Luse says the biscuits in Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts: Stories and Recipes from Five Generations of Black Country Cooks are the best shes ever tasted. Author and former Kentucky Poet Laureate Crystal Wilkinson joins Luse to talk about Appalachian food culture, turning oral recipes into written ones, and the emotional connections between food, family and memory.

Music: Public radio stations are always looking for new artists to slot in between your favorite established musicians on the air. Ten NPR member stations share a favorite emerging act thats made it into their 2024 rotations.

Quiz: What else celebrated its birthday on the Fourth? If you know the answer, congrats: you must follow NPR's coverage closely! Hint: There's also a non-political debate bonus.

The parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue has agreed to buy rival luxury department store Neiman Marcus. Lynne Sladky/AP hide caption

This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.

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Up First briefing: Up-and-coming Democrats; Labour wins U.K. election - NPR

They are lawyers and school board members, labor activists and faith leaders, lifelong Democrats and party newcomers. Some of them just turned 18, others are pushing 80.

These are the people who make up the 3,939 delegates to the Democratic National Convention. Some are elected, and some are selected each state party has its own rules for what is normally a ceremonial task: nominating their candidate for president.

But in the still unlikely scenario in which President Biden steps down as the nominee, they will suddenly be charged with picking a new nominee at the convention next month in Chicago.

Most of these delegates did not set out to become kingmakers in the Democratic Party, but rather to be part of a pro-Biden slate pledging support to the president. But in the event Mr. Biden drops out, they would be vaulted from the obscurity of extras at a quadrennial television extravaganza into a group with the fate of the party and, in the view of many Democrats, the future of the country on their shoulders.

Many are loath to even consider that as an option, remaining steadfastly loyal to the president as he affirms his commitment to remaining in the race. And some find themselves overwhelmed by the possibility.

Phil Swanhorst, the chair of the Eau Claire County Democrats in Wisconsin and a first-time delegate, said that with all the turmoil going on, he did not want to discuss what he would do as a free delegate if released from his pledged status. Instead, he said he would follow the guidance of Ben Wikler, the chair of the state party.

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These Obscure Democrats Could Soon Become Kingmakers - The New York Times