Quick Hit:

Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig has become the fifth sitting Democrat to call for President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.

Key Details:

• In her statement, Rep. Craig expressed respect for Biden's service but emphasized the need for a new generation of leaders. 

• Craig stated that Biden's debate performance and subsequent lack of a forceful response showed he might not effectively campaign and win against Trump.

• This call for withdrawal makes Craig the first battleground Democrat to do so, reflecting growing concerns within the Democratic Party about Biden's viability as a candidate.

Diving Deeper:

According to a report by POLITICO, Minnesota Representative Angie Craig has urged President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.

In a statement Saturday, Craig wrote, “I have great respect for President Biden’s decades of service to our nation and his steadfast commitment to making our country a better place. I’ve worked with the President and members of both parties to pass critical legislation like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the CHIPS and Science Act,” Craig said. However, she pointed to Biden's recent debate performance in Atlanta and the lack of a strong response afterward as reasons for her call for him to step aside. “Given what I saw and heard from the President during last week’s debate in Atlanta, coupled with the lack of a forceful response from the President himself following that debate, I do not believe that the President can effectively campaign and win against Donald Trump.”

Craig's decision is particularly significant as she is the first battleground House Democrat to call for Biden's withdrawal. She stressed, “This is not a decision I’ve come to lightly, but there is simply too much at stake to risk a second Donald Trump presidency. That’s why I respectfully call on President Biden to step aside as the Democratic nominee for a second term as President and allow for a new generation of leaders to step forward.”

Her statement reflects broader concerns within the Democratic Party about Biden's ability to lead the campaign effectively. Craig highlighted the importance of a fair and transparent process to select a new nominee who can inspire and unite the nation. “Our party has an extraordinary number of talented leaders within it. I believe this is an opportunity to put forward an open, fair, and transparent Democratic process to select a new nominee to inspire and unite our great nation,” she said.

Craig's call comes amid fears that Biden's debate performance could have negative repercussions for congressional races. As Democrats face the potential loss of their Senate majority and struggle to maintain control of the House.