California Representative Adam Schiff joined a growing list of Democrats urging President Joe Biden to reconsider his reelection bid so a potentially stronger candidate can challenge Republican nominee Donald Trump in November.
In a statement provided to the Daily News Wednesday, Schiff praised Biden as “one of the most consequential presidents in our nation’s history” and credited the Democratic party leader for spending several decades in the Senate and serving as the nation’s vice president during the Obama Administration.
But as Trump continues gaining momentum at this week’s Republican National Convention, Schiff says Biden can “secure his legacy of leadership” by stepping aside and allowing the Democratic party to take a different approach against the former president.
“A second Trump presidency will undermine the very foundation of our democracy, and I have serious concerns about whether the President can defeat Donald Trump in November,” Schiff said.
According to the congressman, it’s time for Biden to “pass the torch” to a nominee who can prevent Trump from regaining the office he lost to Biden in the 2020 election. Schiff concedes that choice can only be made by the president, but he vows to help whomever might succeed his party’s presumptive nominee.
“There is only one singular goal: defeating Donald Trump,” he said. “The stakes are just too high.”
Trump, who survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania over the weekend, is formally accepting the Republican party’s nomination at this week’s convention in Milwaukee, Wis. He’s expected to speak Thursday.
The 78-year-old Queens native has hinted toward delivering a call for unity, though his campaign has been largely centered on retribution against individuals and institutions he considers disloyal.
Biden has continued to insist he’ll stay in the presidential race as his support among fellow Democrats erodes following a disastrous June debate against Trump that called the 81-year-old president’s mental acuity into question.
More than 20 Democrats have urged Biden to step aside as the Democratic National Committee’s August convention approaches. Prominent public figures including author Stephen King and filmmaker Rob Reiner have openly appealed to Biden to exit the race.
The president continues to insist he’s running for reelection and will again beat Trump. A FiveThirtyEight poll published Tuesday shows Trump holding a two-point lead over Biden.
