Pressure on President Joe Biden to withdraw from the looming rematch with former President Donald Trump intensified on Saturday.
A trickle of sitting Democrats calling on the president to bow out of the contest after a dismal debate performance last month could turn into a flood after Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) said it was time for Biden to step aside. Craig is the first Democrat in a relatively competitive state to make the demand of the president.
“As an elected leader, I feel a responsibility to be honest about what I believe, even when it’s hard to hear,” Craig said. “President Biden is a good man & I appreciate his lifetime of service. But I believe he should step aside for the next generation of leadership. The stakes are too high.”
Craig represents Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District, which, according to the nonpartisan Cook Political Report House ratings, is a “lean Democrat” seat. Craig has had relatively comfortable victories to hold onto her seat since failing to beat Jason Lewis in 2016.
But while Minnesota has been considered a safe bastion for Democrats, Biden’s debate performance might have put it in play. Craig’s concerns about the president’s ability to beat Trump in November is the latest warning sign down-ballot candidates are worried about the effect he is having on contests as Democrats try to re-take the House.
Earlier this week, election analysts at the University of Virginia conceded Minnesota was going to be a more competitive contest in the Electoral College than it has been in recent years. Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball placed the blame for Minnesota’s shift from “likely Democratic” to “leans Democratic” entirely on how the president performed at the debate.
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Craig became the fifth House Democrat to break ranks publicly and call on Biden to consider what remaining in the race could mean for his legacy. Other Democrats include Reps. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), and Seth Moulton (D-MA).
“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,” Craig said. “If we truly believe that Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans must be stopped, there is only a small window left to make sure we have a candidate best equipped to make the case and win. This future of our country is bigger than any one of us. It’s up to the President from here.”
