Democrat Candidates Start to Distance from Joe Biden

(LibertySociety.com) – Following President Joe Biden’s June 27 debate performance, down-ballot Democratic candidates in swing states and districts have started to distance themselves from the president.

Down-ballot candidates had hoped that as the party’s lead candidate, Biden would help attract voters for their races as Democrats are concerned about retaining control of the Senate in November. Democrats had also hoped they could flip control of the House. However, after the debate, where Biden repeatedly misspoke, made false claims, and froze, those hopes are now fading.

According to a senior Democrat in the House, some Democratic House members from swing districts are “freaking out” about the impact Biden could have on their races. While some candidates were distancing themselves from Biden before the debate, they now question if they need to distance themselves even more by calling for Biden to drop out of the race.

Maine Rep. Jared Golden and Washington Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, who are both seeking reelection, stated that they have no confidence in Biden winning. Democratic candidate Adam Frisch, running for the seat currently held by Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert, called on the president to drop out of the race.

Democratic Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig said it was a “terrible debate” and she was “still processing what happened.” While a member of the House representing a Republican-leaning district, Democratic Alaska Rep. Mary Peltola, said she is “not thinking about anybody’s race but my own.”

The candidate’s comments follow calls from Democrats, political commentators, and donors for Biden to drop out of the race. Former Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan called on Biden to resign on behalf of the country, “because there’s so much at stake.” Ryan noted that keeping Biden as the candidate “risks us winning the House.”

However, despite the calls for him to withdraw, on June 30, Biden huddled at Camp David with his family, including Hunter Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, and decided to remain in the race.