Former Democratic Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan said President Joe Biden’s ABC interview Friday night didn’t “move the needle at all” and that “he’s out of touch with reality on the ground.”
The interview was viewed as a chance for Biden to convince voters that he’s mentally fit and another opportunity to shed light on his abysmal debate performance. Several Democrats have called for Biden to step down so another Democratic nominee can take his place.
Former Obama strategist David Axelrod agreed with Ryan’s assessment, saying Biden “is dangerously out-of-touch with the concerns people have about his capacities moving forward and his standing in this race.”
Axelrod continued, “Four years ago at this time, he was 10 points ahead of Trump. Today, he is six points behind.”
Biden said the race is a “toss-up” in the interview despite several prominent polls showing former President Donald Trump ahead by several points
Meanwhile, Biden ally Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) reposted a clip from the interview, saying, “President Biden has delivered remarkable progress for the American people, and he has plans to do even more in his next term. I can’t wait to help him continue to take the fight to Trump and win in November.”
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), who has defended Biden repeatedly since the debate, reinforced his support for him and condemned Democrats who are wavering.
“Like I just said on CNN with @jimsciutto, Democrats need to get a spine or grow a set—one or the other. Joe Biden is our guy.”
Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) argued that while “Biden did a very good job” in the interview, “we need an extended live interview that focuses on where Biden plans to lead us over the next 4 years.” Sherman previously said he believes the Democratic National Convention allows for delegates to change their votes despite Biden clinching the nomination.
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Several House Democrats have called for Biden to step down and cede the nomination to a potentially better candidate. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) joined that chorus earlier Friday, saying Biden should step down to avoid “utter catastrophe.”
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) is reportedly attempting to gather a group of Senate Democrats to tell Biden to step down. Some of those senators were waiting to see how Biden did in his ABC interview “before committing to taking such a drastic step.”
