In a surprising turn of events, Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) has called on President Joe Biden to drop out of the 2024 race due to concerns over his age and debate performance.

Craig's statement has added to a growing chorus of House Democrats who believe Biden should step aside, as Axios reports.

Craig, representing Minnesota's swing district, is the first from a competitive district to advocate for Biden's withdrawal. She expressed that Biden's age could negatively impact down-ballot races for Democrats. Craig specifically pointed to Biden's performance during a recent debate in Atlanta, highlighting his lack of a compelling response post-debate as part of her reasoning.

Support Growing Among House Democrats

Craig is the fifth House Democrat to openly suggest Biden withdraws, following similar calls from Reps. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Seth Moulton (D-MA), and Mike Quigley (D-IL). Additional unnamed House members have privately echoed these sentiments, with expectations of more joining the public outcry soon.

Despite the pressure, Biden has remained adamant about continuing his campaign, focusing on a strategy to defeat Donald Trump. Michael Tyler, Biden's campaign communications director, acknowledged concerns in the wake of the debate but emphasized the campaign’s fundraising success, raising $38 million after the debate.

Craig did not shy away from voicing her concerns, stating, "Given what I saw and heard from the president during last week's debate in Atlanta, coupled with the lack of a forceful response from the president himself following that debate, I do not believe that the President can effectively campaign and win against Donald Trump."

Republican Criticism and Craig's Political Stance

National Republican Congressional Committee spokesperson Mike Marinella criticized Craig's stance, describing it as a "transparent election-year ploy to try to cling to her seat." Craig's move comes as she prepares for her re-election campaign in Minnesota's sole battleground congressional district, a seat she won narrowly in both 2020 and 2022.

Craig has a history of expressing reservations about Biden's age. In 2022, she voiced concerns but eventually supported his campaign to prevent resource wastage. Craig has now taken the significant step of directly asking Biden to withdraw, becoming the most prominent Democrat in Minnesota to make this demand publicly.

In her call for change, Craig also highlighted the necessity for a transparent process in selecting a new nominee. "This situation provides an opportunity to put forward an open, fair, and transparent Democratic process to select a new nominee to inspire and unite our great nation," she stated.

Political Implications and Future Endorsements

While Craig has not endorsed a successor, she has emphasized the importance of this opportunity for the Democratic Party to find a nominee that can rally and unify the country. The call for Biden's withdrawal appears to be creating divisions within the party, as some members, including Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, continue to support the President.

Walz reaffirmed his backing for Biden after a recent meeting at the White House. "Governors have his back," he reiterated, showing a split in opinion among Democratic leaders.

This growing divide poses both challenges and potential for the Democratic Party moving forward, as Biden's campaign must now address internal concerns while maintaining momentum against the Republican candidate.

Candidates And the Road Ahead

The debate performance in Atlanta has been a critical point of contention, with Biden's response -- or lack thereof -- fueling criticism. Despite this, his campaign's ability -- for now -- to raise substantial funds after the debate is seen as a testament to ongoing support from many of his backers.

However, with prominent Democrats like Craig voicing their dissatisfaction, the pressure on Biden mounts. These calls for his withdrawal may influence new potential candidates to step forward, reshaping the dynamics of the presidential race.

The upcoming months will be crucial for the Democratic Party as they navigate these internal challenges while striving to present a unified front against the Republicans.

Conclusion

Rep. Angie Craig's call for President Biden to drop out of the presidential race highlights growing concerns among House Democrats about Biden's age and debate performance.

Craig joins several other Democrats in urging Biden to withdraw, emphasizing the need for a transparent process to select a new nominee.

Biden's campaign, despite acknowledging issues, remains focused on defeating Trump. As the political landscape evolves, the Democratic Party faces the challenge of maintaining unity while addressing internal dissent.