Should Biden Step Aside?
Topics: Politics
Program Release Date: July 11, 2024
Please note: This discussion was recorded on July 11th before the assassination attempt on former President Trump.
During the current election cycle, President Biden has dismissed concerns about seeking re-election. He says that he is fit for the job and in it to win it. But after the first 2024 Presidential Debate, many public officials, donors, and die-hard Democratic voters have expressed deep concern about Biden’s performance. They are now facing an existential question about his campaign's viability against Donald Trump and whether a new candidate would be a better option.
Those who think Biden should step aside argue that his performance during the debate and recent public appearances raises questions about his age and mental acuity and his capacity to lead the nation for another term. They argue that a new candidate could re-energize the Democratic base and appeal more broadly to younger voters, swing voters, and those disenchanted with the status quo, improving the Democrats' election chances. Those who believe he should not step aside insist that the democratic process should be respected, allowing Biden to run if he wishes and letting voters decide his fate. Stepping aside now would fragment the party at a crucial moment and Biden’s experience in both domestic and international politics are invaluable, particularly when contrasted with Trump's polarizing tenure.
In this critical moment in the election process, we debate: Should Biden Step Aside?
ARGUING YES:
- : Opinion Columnist at The New York Times
ARGUING NO:
Dmitri Mehlhorn: Co-Founder of Investing in US
MODERATOR-IN-CHIEF:
John Donvan: Emmy award-winning journalist