PORTLAND, Ore. — Longtime Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer, himself on the short track to retirement, called Wednesday for President Joe Biden to drop out of the 2024 presidential race and make way for a different Democratic candidate to step forward.
The congressman, who represents a district that includes much of Portland and areas east to Hood River, made clear that while he has the utmost respect for Biden, he believes the president should stand aside in the interest of "protecting democracy."
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“It is a painful and difficult conclusion, but there is no question in my mind that we will all be better served if the president steps aside as the Democratic nominee and manages a transition under his terms," Rep. Blumenauer said in a statement. "He has earned that right."
Blumenauer did not cite a specific reason why he believes Biden should drop out of the race, but his statement comes amid widely reported murmurings of concern in the Democratic party about the president's age following a frail performance at Biden's first debate with the Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump.
Biden is 81 years old, while Trump is 78. They were each the oldest-ever president inaugurated at their respective ceremonies.
“The next six months will be critical in the implementation of President Biden's landmark accomplishments that will define his legacy for generations to come," Blumenauer continued. "He should devote his energy and undivided attention to issues of war and peace, the climate crisis, and rebuilding and renewing America. I stand willing to assist in any way possible on these critical efforts.”
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Thus far, only a handful of Democratic lawmakers in Congress have publicly called on Biden to step aside, and Blumenauer is the first from Oregon's delegation. On Wednesday, Vermont's Peter Welch became the first Democrat in the U.S. Senate to call on Biden to step aside, penning an op-ed in the Washington Post.
Blumenauer's colleague in the U.S. House, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, suggested that she's still making up her mind.
"Defeating Donald Trump remains my top priority," Bonamici said in response to a request for comment. "I am currently speaking with constituents and colleagues to identify the best path forward so we can stop the dangerous Project 2025 agenda and keep building on the many successes of the Biden Administration."
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon made a brief comment on Biden's debate performance but did not directly address whether he thinks the president should drop out of the race — although he has expressed some disappointment in the Biden campaign's cloistered strategy thus far.
“President Biden said he had a bad night, but I’m proud of the results that Democrats and I have delivered with him the last four years here in Oregon and nationwide," Wyden said. "Voters in our state and America fired Donald Trump with cause in 2020, and they’re not going to rehire him in 2024.”
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U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley said that there were "serious concerns" about Biden but did not otherwise come down on the issue.
“No president in my lifetime has done more than Joe Biden. He’s achieved historic successes in investing in manufacturing, green energy, infrastructure, and repairing relationships around the world. We are now, however, looking to the future and an election that is just four months away," Merkley said. "The question of whether Biden will be the Democratic nominee rests in Biden’s hands and his alone. But serious concerns have been raised that merit serious consideration. He either has to demonstrate his ability to lead the ticket by engaging with voters in unscripted settings and laying out a powerful agenda. Or, he needs to step down and facilitate a transition to sustain the values and programs he’s championed.”
On Monday, U.S. Senator from Washington Patty Murray released a statement likewise forging a middle path, saying that Biden "must do more to demonstrate" that he can mount a strong enough campaign to defeat Trump in November.
“I have a deep appreciation and strong respect for Joe, who has led a historic first term as President," Murray said. "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.”