A day after his weak debate performance against Donald Trump, the New York Times editorial board urged President Biden to bow out as presumptive Democratic nominee in 2024.
The liberal Grey Lady opined that Biden, 81, was an ”admirable president,” but he looked “the shadow of a great public servant” and would be engaging in a “reckless gamble” by continuing his candidacy.
The board added: “There is no reason for the party to risk the stability and security of the country by forcing voters to choose between Mr. Trump’s deficiencies and those of Mr. Biden. It’s too big a bet to simply hope Americans will overlook or discount Mr. Biden’s age and infirmity that they see with their own eyes.”
“Mr. Biden answered an urgent question on Thursday night. It was not the answer that he and his supporters were hoping for,” the Times concluded. “But if the risk of a second Trump term is as great as he says it is — and we agree with him that the danger is enormous — then his dedication to this country leaves him and his party only one choice.”
The editorial ran two hours after Biden landed in New York City for the first of a two-day fundraising swing, which will also include a big-dollar event on Saturday in the Hamptons.
The day capped a 24 hours of pandemonium among Democrats after Biden repeatedly stumbled, slurred, and forgot his talking points in the first of the pair’s two pre-scheduled debates at Atlanta.
At one point, Biden gazed down at his lectern for nearly 10 whole seconds before popping up again to say that he “finally beat Medicare.”
However, The Times editorial board did note that Biden had “challenged Mr. Trump to this verbal duel. He set the rules, and he insisted on a date months earlier than any previous general election debate. He understood that he needed to address longstanding public concerns about his mental acuity and that he needed to do so as soon as possible.”The truth Mr. Biden needs to confront now is that he failed his own test.”
Two of the most-read columnists at The Times urged Biden to wrap up even before this week’s editorial board. Nicholas Kristoff wrote late Thursday following the debate. “This will be a wrenching choice.”
“But, Mr. President, one way you can serve your country in 2024 is by announcing your retirement and calling on delegates to replace you,” he said, “for that is the safest course for our nation.”
