Readers have a message for President Biden: ‘Step aside’

As President Joe Biden tries to quell growing concerns about his ability to run for reelection after a disastrous debate performance last month, some prominent Massachusetts politicians — and Boston.com readers — are calling on him to step down.

Biden’s debate against former President Donald Trump was widely viewed as disastrous and raised alarms on both sides of the aisle about his fitness for office and ability to win reelection.

Following the debate debacle, Massachusetts Sen. Jason Lewis took to social media to urge the 81-year-old to respectfully drop his re-election bid.

“President Biden has dedicated his life to serving our country in remarkable ways. In 2020, he rose to the challenge of defeating Donald Trump and restoring the dignity and honor of the presidency. Under his leadership, our country has made tremendous progress. But now it is time for him to step aside,” Lewis wrote.

Last Thursday, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton publicly called on Biden to step aside. Gov. Maura Healey followed with remarks Friday calling on Biden to “listen to the American people and carefully evaluate whether he remains our best hope of defeating Donald Trump.” Healey is the first Democratic governor to publicly urge the president to drop out of the race, according to POLICY.

Boston.com readers agree with calls for Biden to withdraw from the presidential race.

When we first asked them for their opinion after Sen. Lewis called on Biden to drop his reelection bid, an overwhelming majority (87%) of the 99 readers who responded to our poll agreed that Biden should leave the race and preserve his political legacy.

“I agree with Sen. Lewis. Joe Biden’s story has been strong, wonderful, complex and stable. It’s time for him to sit back and enjoy his life and bask in his glory,” said Debbie M., a reader from Boston.

We asked readers again for their opinions after Rep. Moulton and Gov. Healey shared their own comments, and 85% of the 286 readers who responded to our poll said Biden should drop his reelection bid, with 15% opposed.

Many readers who said Biden should forgo reelection raised concerns about his physical and mental fitness to hold office for another four years. Many suggested a younger candidate take the helm, but some readers were divided on whether Vice President Kamala Harris fit the bill.

Below, read a selection of responses from readers on both sides of the debate over whether Biden should stay or abandon his presidential re-election bid.

Answers have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.

Why Readers Think Biden Should Drop His Re-Election Bid

“Let Vice President Harris run for re-election”

“Biden clearly does not have the stamina for the job and will continue to deteriorate in a second term. The likelihood that Vice President Harris will have to assume the presidency in a second term is almost certain, even if Biden were to defeat Trump. At this point, a second Trump presidency seems increasingly likely without corrective action from Democrats.”

– Kristen E., Boston

“Everyone saw what happened in that debate. There is no way to hide a man’s bewilderment by pretending he has a cold. The videos will multiply on the internet for those who might have missed them. I think Biden should resign now and let Vice President Harris run for re-election. He has been a great president, but it is now clear that he is too fragile for the most important job in the world.”

– Beatrice P., West Tisbury

“He is clearly not up to the task. If he is unable to run, he will not be able to serve. There is still plenty of time before January 2025. If Vice President Harris had any integrity, she would defend the 25th Amendment. We need leadership.”

– Ralph, Brockton

“The best option to beat Trump is not (Biden)”

“He needs to step aside and make way for a more competitive opponent than Trump. Some might even argue that he should resign now, because if he’s not fit to run for president, he’s certainly not fit to hold office.”

– Brett N., Acton

“Joe needs to listen to his own words and put his country before his own ambitions. He can certainly be proud of his accomplishments, but he needs to understand that the best option to beat Trump is not him.”

– Dan M., Salem

“He can be an incredible role model by stepping down. It takes courage and integrity to step down and he can lead our country again by doing so.”

– Hannah S., Waltham

“President Biden has done a good job as president, especially on foreign policy. But the threat Trump poses is too great and I don’t think he can beat him again. It’s time for a younger candidate to take over.”

– Steve M., Wrentham

“We need younger leaders”

“Unfortunately, President Biden has aged. He was a shadow of his former self in the debate, and these kinds of episodes are only going to get worse and more frequent. He is not getting any younger, no matter how much his entourage wants him to, wishes he is, or pretends he is. Undecided voters have never been fooled, especially in swing states where Biden is way behind. They have been demanding an alternative to Biden (and Trump) all along. It is in the best interest of the country for Democrats to step up and give it to them. Unfortunately, Harris is not the answer. She has had four years in the national spotlight to get noticed, and she has not done so. There is no reason to think she will get noticed in four months. It is time to find someone new.”

– Ed, Maynard

“His cognitive abilities seem to be declining. He looks weak and seems weak. He is too old.”

– Wayne B., Provincetown

“This country needs new leadership…on both sides of the political spectrum.”

– Matthew K., Hingham

“There is a minimum age for candidates. There should also be a maximum age. This applies regardless of which candidate I support.”

– Sean S., Maynard

“If he was your dad and he was still working, you and your family would say, ‘Dad, it’s time to quit work and work on your health.’ The people who still want him to run are really selfish and don’t care about him at all, just the party.”

– Dave, Woburn

“There are politicians the same age as the president, like Bernie (Sanders), who have engaged and involved crowds, Bernie has a well-constructed answer to any question he’s asked. Unfortunately, that’s not Biden. We need young people and new ideas. Not the same thing. Anybody but Trump, but Biden is obsolete. I would like to see AOC run, but I think it’s unlikely.”

– DZ, Berkshires

“We need younger leaders. After watching his elderly family members decline and reflecting on the stresses of being president, Joe Biden is not a viable leader. He needs to step down and preserve his legacy.”

– Barton S.

“His public gaffes and evident decline have weakened the perception of American leadership.”

“There are 7-10 states that will decide the presidential election, 6-8 states that will decide control of the Senate, and about 60 congressional districts that will decide control of the House of Representatives. As a Democrat, I want the person who will best generate participation and enthusiasm on all sides of the ballot, not someone who is essentially mocked and ridiculed across the political spectrum. I like Joe Biden, but he is not the same Joe he was 4 years ago, and that narrative will never change until November.”

– Tom, MetroWest

“Biden has lost the hearts of the people who voted for him four years ago. He is not capable of doing his job in the next four years.”

– MZ, Cambridge

“This should have been done long ago. His public gaffes and evident decline have weakened the perception of American leadership. He can no longer be counted on to be a clear-headed world leader. He is seen as a feeble-minded old man.”

– Eddy J., Boston

Why Readers Think Biden Shouldn’t Give Up His Re-Election Bid

“That’s Biden’s decision alone. He’s the only one who can vote. Next question.”

– Tom, Duxbury

“President Biden continues to be an admirable leader of our country. As president, you fill every cabinet position with competent and knowledgeable people – that’s one of the many qualities you look for in a president. Biden had a horrible debate, to be sure, but at least he’s more than competent to serve as president. As for the former president, the only thing coming out of his mouth is lies, no platform to run on (always about himself). If anyone is bothered, it’s Trump. Listen to the babbling and incoherence of his speeches.”

– John M., Marshfield

“It’s too late to change course. Unless it’s Harris, I don’t see any other options. We need to unite behind Biden.”

– Jefferson S., Waltham

“He’s the only Democrat who has a chance of defeating Trump.”

– Andrew R., Lexington

“His record, his office and the people around him are competent, professional and capable. Why is there no demand for the convicted man… to step down?”

– CIGARETTE

“President Biden is the candidate we voted for in the primary election. Everyone knew his strengths and weaknesses. We voted for him. If the Democratic leadership wanted a different candidate, they should have pushed for a competitive primary. Nothing has changed, Mr. Biden is the same person.”

– Timmy D., Medway

Boston.com occasionally interacts with its readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be interpreted as an unscientific indicator of reader opinion.

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