Opinion: Before Democrats think about replacing Biden, they should remember 1968

President Joe Biden has been huddled up in Camp David trying to figure out what to do after a terrible debate performance against former President Donald Trump. The president had so much difficulty articulating his thoughts and maintaining his physical composure during the proceedings that it sent the party into a serious conversation about replacing him.

Biden and his family are standing firm about his determination to stay in the race and ability to win, but the pressure has not abated. Throughout the mainstream press, the calls for him to step down have continued while privately Democratic officials and donors continue to have this conversation as well, waiting to see the post-debate polls. According to a new CNN poll, three-quarters of US voters say the Democrats would have a better chance to keep the presidency in 2024 with someone other than Biden as the nominee.

Several Democratic officials started to say the silent part out loud. Texas Rep. Lloyd Doggett called on Biden to step down. South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn, whose endorsement was pivotal to Biden’s nomination in 2020, said he would support Vice President Kamala Harris if she were the nominee. Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan called for Biden to step aside and other Democrats made comments raising questions about what should come next.

Biden’s struggle during the debate worsened preexisting perceptions in the electorate that the president is too old for a second term.

Moreover, this moment of crisis comes at a time that polls show Trump slightly ahead in most swing states. Democrats are terrified that the president can no longer prevent a second Trump term, which many believe would be a genuine threat to democracy.