In an open letter, former parliamentarians call on Biden to give other figures a chance to run
“Biden would best serve the nation he loves by giving a free hand to the delegates who are supposed to nominate him for a second term,” they wrote in an open letter. “If he decides to do that, it will mean holding an open convention in August. We ask him to make that decision.”
“We don’t want to say we prefer another candidate over him, but we are confident that one or more competent Democratic candidates will come forward,” they added.
“The president’s integrity and vision are intact,” the letter said. “However, the energy and stamina he needs to campaign and serve another term have waned. This problem has been plaguing the country for months and came to a head during the June 27 debate and beyond.”
For the signatories of the open letter who are not publicly calling on the president to withdraw, holding an open convention would “revive optimism and enthusiasm. It would also revitalize the party and capture the attention of voters, especially young people.”
Biden resumed his campaign on Friday to support his candidacy for a second presidential term after a mixed performance at a press conference he held on Thursday, which failed to silence calls for him to withdraw from the presidential race.
Biden tried to reassure voters that he was in good shape on Friday. “We have to finish the job. I can assure you I’m fine,” Biden, 81, told supporters at a dinner at a restaurant in Northville, Michigan, a state he must win in November to defeat Donald Trump.
Biden has strongly rejected speculation that he might drop out of the US presidential race, saying at a rally Friday in Michigan that he would defeat “the threat to the nation” Donald Trump.
“There’s been a lot of speculation lately,” Biden said to chants of “Don’t quit.” “What is Joe Biden going to do? Will he stay in the race? Will he drop out? Here’s my answer: I’m the candidate and we’re going to win. I’m not going to change that.”
The president has been facing waves of calls among Democrats to abandon his 2024 bid since the June 27 debate, during which Biden lost his train of thought and appeared tired.
But Biden insisted he could convince voters to support him, even though most polls show him trailing Trump. (Al Arabiya)
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