Sen. Joe Manchin Calls for President Biden to Step Down as 2024 Election Nominee
Sen. Joe Manchin has called for President Biden to step down as the Democratic Party’s 2024 election nominee, becoming the fifth allied senator to do so. This increases pressure on the president, who insists he is the only one capable of defeating Donald Trump.
Manchin’s Statement
“I come with a heavy heart to think the time has come for him to pass the torch to a new generation,” Manchin said Sunday on ABC’s “This Week.” Manchin has worked with Biden on key legislation, including the infrastructure bill and the comprehensive health and climate bill. Despite leaving the Democratic Party earlier this year, the West Virginia lawmaker still caucuses with them.
Call for an Open Process
Previewing the potential fight to come, Manchin also broke with some other Democrats and called for an open process to pick a new nominee. This further signifies that the party has no clear consensus on what to do if Biden steps down.
Biden Campaign’s Struggles
The Biden campaign hasn’t been able to prevent lawmakers from calling for Biden to drop off the ticket. Biden has continued to lose support since his disastrous debate last month while Republicans have lionized Trump.
Poll Results
In a new ABC News/IPSOS poll released on Sunday, Trump’s favorability rating rose to 40%, the highest point since 2020. Biden’s favorability was at 32%, and 60% of poll respondents said Biden should drop out of the race.