In a recent opinion piece published by The New York Times Editorial Board, President Joe Biden is urged to withdraw from the race for the White House following his performance at CNN’s presidential debate. The board criticized Biden for his struggles during the debate, stating that he failed to hold Donald Trump accountable for his lies and failed to articulate a clear vision for a second term.
The editorial board called on Biden to step aside and allow other Democratic leaders to offer more compelling alternatives to Trump. They emphasized the importance of not risking the stability and security of the country by forcing voters to choose between Trump’s deficiencies and Biden’s perceived shortcomings.
Despite their critique, the board clarified that they would still support Biden as their “unequivocal pick” if the choice remains between him and Trump. In response to the editorial, the Biden campaign defended the president, pointing out that he had previously won without the Times’ endorsement.
This criticism adds to the growing concern among top Democrats about Biden’s debate performance and his ability to lead the party to victory. Some pundits, like CNN’s David Axelrod, have openly questioned whether Biden should continue his campaign.
The reaction to Biden’s performance was uniformly negative, with MSNBC anchor Alex Wagner noting that he did little to dispel the perception of being old and out of touch. As discussions about Biden’s future continue, the Democratic party is facing a crucial decision about the direction of their campaign.