A close friend of President Biden, columnist Thomas Friedman, has called on him to step down and allow another Democrat to run for president after his widely criticized performance at the CNN Presidential Debate.
Former President Donald Trump's relentless attacks and President Joe Biden's faltering response during Thursday's presidential debate have sent shockwaves through the Democratic Party. Influential voices in the media, including longtime Biden supporters, are now openly calling on him to withdraw from the 2024 race.
The MSNBC post-debate analysis panel painted a grim picture, with panelist Chuck Todd saying, "I think there's a full-fledged panic right now in the Democratic Party." Former Biden administration official Symone Sanders described the president's performance as "extremely weak."
Biden's Weak Debate Performance Raises Concerns Among Democrats
One of Biden's closest allies, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, penned a scathing critique of his debate performance, calling it "heartbreaking." Friedman, who has been a longtime reader of Biden and has guided him on Middle East issues, said the debate made him "weep."
"To give America the greatest shot possible of deterring the Trump threat in November, the president has to come forward and declare that he will not be running for re-election and is releasing all of his delegates for the Democratic National Convention," Friedman wrote.
Biden's Weak Debate Performance Raises Concerns Among Democrats
Friedman argued that Biden has "no business running for re-election" and that the Democratic Party needs an open process to find a younger, more vigorous candidate who can effectively challenge Trump in 2024.
Fellow liberal Times columnist Nicholas Kristof also echoed the call for Biden to step aside. "Biden's debate performance was deeply discouraging. He needs to put the country first and withdraw from the 2024 race," Kristof tweeted.
Biden's Weak Debate Performance Raises Concerns Among Democrats
The New York Times opinion page was riddled with similar sentiments, with other influential voices joining the chorus of concern. The Times was not alone in its criticism.
Alyssa Farah Griffin of "The View" said, "If Biden truly believes Democracy is on the line, he should step aside and let another Democrat step in to take on Trump. Put the country first."
Vox correspondent Eric Levitz wrote, "Joe Biden should save his legacy by ending his candidacy."
The Biden and Trump campaigns have not yet responded to requests for comment from Fox News Digital. However, the discontent within Democratic circles is undeniable. With less than two years to go until the next presidential election, the party is facing a potential political crisis as they grapple with the reality of Biden's declining physical and mental abilities.
