Biden labeled 'addicted to power' as Democrat Raul Grijalva's advice for prez to step down from reelection goes unheard

WASHINGTON DC: Rep Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz) urged President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 race following what he described as a lackluster performance in last week's debate.

This makes Grijalva the second sitting Democratic lawmaker to publicly suggest that Biden should step aside amid his desire to stay in the re-election race.

Rep Raul Grijalva says Joe Biden should get out of the race to keep the presidential seat with Democrats 

Raul Grijalva, who has been in Congress since 2003, stated that while he will support Joe Biden if he remains the nominee, he believes it's time for the Democratic Party to consider a new candidate.

“If he’s the candidate, I’m going to support him, but I think that this is an opportunity to look elsewhere,” Grijalva told The New York Times.

“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," he said according to The Hill.

Grijalva’s comments came just a day after Rep Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), a nearly 30-year veteran of the House, also called on Biden to withdraw.

“The incumbent failed to effectively defend his many accomplishments and expose Trump’s many lies during last week’s debate,” Doggett stated in a press release.

Joe Biden insists to continue for 2024 presidential elections

Despite these calls, the White House made it clear on Wednesday, 3 July that President Joe Biden has no intention of dropping out of the 2024 race.

Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters, “The president is not dropping out, that’s something the campaign has shared." 

Biden and his team have been working to reassure Democratic leaders, aides, and campaign staff that he is prepared for another term.

“The president is clear-eyed, and he is staying in the race,” Jean-Pierre added. “He wants to continue to work on the successes that he’s had, his record.”

In a call with campaign staffers, Biden reinforced his commitment to the race, saying, “Let me say this as clearly as I possibly can, as simply and straightforward as I can: I am running,” according to a campaign official as per NBC News.

“No one is pushing me out. I’m not leaving. I’m in this race to the end, and we’re going to win," Biden stressed in the call. 

Internet reacts to Joe Biden amid calls to step down

The debate over Joe Biden’s candidacy continues online.

One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “Yes he needs to bail out and make MAGA,” referring to Grijalva’s call for Biden to step down.

Another commented, “He has a responsibility to step down as president permanently as of now right now.”

A different user supported the idea of a new candidate, saying, “Good. We need a new candidate.”

However, not all reactions were in favor of Biden stepping down. “This is basically a coup against Biden,” suggested one user.

“Can we get a gag order out on these people?” asked one.

Criticism of Biden’s fitness for office was also prevalent, with one user stating, “Biden is incoherent and unfit to be President.”

One wrote, “Keep Biden on the ticket, let’s get Trump back in office!”  

Someone else made a pointed attack saying, “Addiction runs in Biden's family. His son is addicted to drugs, Joe is addicted to power.”

“This is the best scenario for Trump. There’s no chance that Biden will be able to pull this off… unless they cheat (again),” stated one.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.