Democratic Leader Tells Joe Biden Party Needs More ‘Energetic Candidate’

A member of the Democratic leadership has said the party needs a more “energetic candidate” than President Joe Biden to take on Donald Trump in the 2024 election.

In a statement, Senator Patty Murray, a six-term veteran of the Senate who serves as the upper chamber’s president pro tempore and has been part of the party’s leadership since 2001, said the incumbent president “must do more” to win November’s vote.

Biden has faced growing calls to leave the 2024 race following a presidential debate on June 27, in which he gave a series of incoherent and confusing responses and appeared to trail off at times without finishing sentences. A Biden aide previously told Newsweek that the president had a cold. He also said he had been tired from international travel and had no plans to drop out of the race.

“More than a week since the debate, and after talking with my constituents, I believe President Biden must do more to demonstrate he can campaign strong enough to beat Donald Trump,” Murray said on Monday.

She continued: “There is such a case to be prosecuted against Donald Trump—President Biden has to lead the charge in making that case. With so much at stake, the American people need to understand what a serious threat a second Trump presidency would be to our democracy, our fundamental freedoms, and their livelihoods. Just as important, our nominee must be able to articulate what Democrats have accomplished and everything we will do to make life better for American families and protect their freedoms—like making child care affordable and accessible for parents everywhere and restoring abortion rights for women in all 50 states.

“I have a deep appreciation and strong respect for Joe, who has led a historic first time as President. Still, we need to see a much more forceful and energetic candidate on the campaign trail in the very near future in order for him to convince voters he is up to the job. At this critical time for our country, President Biden must seriously consider the best way to preserve his incredible legacy and secure it for the future.”

Newsweek contacted Biden’s campaign for comment by email.

Since the debate, Biden’s odds of victory against Trump have also slumped, according to bookmakers, and multiple House Democrats have publicly called for Biden to drop out of the race.

Despite the criticism, Biden is on course to officially become the party’s nominee in August at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The general election is scheduled for November 5.