It’s Now Knives Out for Joe Biden among Democrats

In the immediate aftermath of Thursday’s presidential debate, open speculation about Joe Biden’s electoral viability was mostly consigned to left-leaning commentators, columnists, and former U.S. senator Claire McCaskill (D., Mo.).

But the president’s foundation of support among congressional Democrats began to fall out from under him this week, when several sitting lawmakers either publicly called on Biden to drop out of the presidential race or entertained speculation that he should strongly consider stepping aside.

The first shot came from longtime representative Lloyd Doggett. “I am hopeful that he will make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw. I respectfully call on him to do so,” the low-profile Texas Democrat said in a statement that functioned as a road map for other House Democrats to follow his lead.