Rep. Adam Schiff, a prominent Democrat running for Senate in California, is calling on President Biden to drop out of the presidential race, citing “serious concerns” about his ability to defeat former President Donald Trump.
Mr. Schiff, speaking to the Los Angeles Times, said Mr. Biden has been “one of the most consequential presidents in our nation’s history” and credited his performance as a longtime U.S. senator and vice president.
“But our nation is at a crossroads,” Mr. Schiff said. “A second Trump presidency will undermine the very foundation of our democracy, and I have serious concerns about whether the president can defeat Donald Trump in November.”
Mr. Schiff is the 21st congressional Democrat to call on Mr. Biden to exit the presidential race, but the first to do so since Saturday’s assassination attempt on Mr. Trump. His decision to reopen the pressure campaign could lead to more Democrats publicly urging Mr. Biden to step aside and allow the party to nominate a new leader.
Democrats are increasingly concerned about Mr. Biden’s advanced age of 81 and cognitive abilities, particularly after his lousy debate performance on June 27.
Yet Mr. Schiff is a particularly high-profile voice. His decision to go public with his concerns is notable given his close relationship with former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is reportedly working behind the scenes to pressure Mr. Biden to drop out.
Publicly, Ms. Pelosi has said she will support whatever Mr. Biden decides but made clear she believes the president still has time to reconsider running.
Mr. Schiff was a key leader in investigations and impeachment efforts against Mr. Trump, leading to high-profile acrimony with the GOP nominee. He is parlaying that status into a Senate run this year for the seat opened up by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat who died last year.
Sen. Laphonza Butler is fulfilling the remainder of Feinstein’s term but is not running for a full six-year term.
Mr. Schiff, the front-runner in his Senate race against Republican nominee Steve Garvey, said the choice whether to run “is President Biden’s alone.” He also said he would support Mr. Biden if he decides to stay as the nominee.
Mr. Garvey, a well-known former baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, announced a day earlier that he out-raised Mr. Schiff in the second quarter, $5.4 million to $4.2 million.
Mr. Schiff said it’s time for Mr. Biden “to pass the torch” and “secure his legacy of leadership” by letting someone else lead the Democratic ticket.
Mr. Schiff’s calls for a change coincided with the release of an AP-NORC Center of Public Affairs poll that found two-thirds of Democratic voters want Mr. Biden to leave the race.
The developments caught the eye of Mr. Trump, who is in Milwaukee for the GOP convention after surviving an assassination attempt on Saturday.
“From a political standpoint, an unprecedented event is happening — The Dems are trying, again, to get Biden off the ballot!!!” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social.
— Lindsey McPherson contributed to this report.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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