Rep. Lloyd Doggett Calls on President Biden to Withdraw from Democratic Ticket

Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Tex.) made headlines on Tuesday by calling on President Biden to withdraw from the Democratic ticket, becoming the first sitting House Democrat to do so.

In a statement, Doggett praised Biden for his years of public service but argued that the time has come for him to step away from the presidential campaign. Doggett emphasized that the risk of a Trump victory is too great to ignore, urging Biden to make the “painful decision to withdraw” like Lyndon B. Johnson once did.

The 77-year-old congressman, who has been in the House since 1995, expressed hope that Biden would encourage a new generation of leaders to unite the country through an open, democratic process. Doggett stressed that his decision was not made lightly and that he still respects Biden’s achievements.

In an interview with The Post, Doggett revealed that his views are shared by a significant number of his colleagues, despite not being unanimous. He admitted that he and other Democrats had been hesitant to speak out earlier due to concerns about how Republicans would weaponize their criticisms.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre responded to Doggett’s call by emphasizing the importance of respecting differing opinions within the party. She highlighted the Democratic Party’s commitment to open dialogue and debate as a distinguishing factor from the opposition.

Doggett’s bold stance has sparked a conversation within the Democratic Party about the future of the presidential race and the need for new leadership to address the challenges facing the nation. As the 2024 election approaches, the debate over Biden’s candidacy is likely to intensify, with Doggett’s call for withdrawal adding a new dimension to the political landscape.