LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Like some other lawmakers across the country, one former Kentucky congressman is calling for President Joe Biden to exit his reelection campaign.
What You Need To Know
- Former U.S. House Rep. John Yarmuth, D-Ky., said President Joe Biden should consider ending his reelection campaign
- A growing number of Democrats are calling for Biden to exit the race, including Morgan McGarvey, D-Louisville
- Biden has remained insistent on staying in the race, despite the pressure
- Yarmuth served in the U.S. House for 16 years
Former U.S. House Rep. John Yarmuth, D-Ky., posted the following message July 19 on X (formerly Twitter): “Fasten your seatbelts and get out the bourbon. This may be the most consequential weekend in American political history." This refers to the growing pressure Biden face as some politicians call for his exit.
The president has remained defiant in public statements and has said he looks forward getting back on the campaign trail after he recovers from a COVID-19 diagnosis. But Yarmuth said he thinks Biden is "trying to find the proper exit strategy."
“I, along with virtually every Democrat I know, has a great deal of respect and affection for Joe Biden," Yarmuth said. "I’ve known him since he came to the Senate in 1972, when I was a staffer in the Senate."
Yarmuth said he may not hold a seat in Congress anymore but has followed the presidential campaign closely. In the weeks following the June 27 debate, he has become more concerned about Biden.
“For every positive appearance he makes, he undermines it when he just gets on an airplane," Yarmuth said. "The visuals are too compelling."
The number of congressional Democrats publicly calling for Biden to exit the race is growing and includes Yarmuth’s successor, U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey, D-Louisville.
“My concern is, I don’t know if he stays in the race where the campaign goes," Yarmuth said. "People say, 'Well, he needs to get out there and be himself.' I’m not sure he’s capable of doing that right now."
Yarmuth said if Biden calls it quits, the Democratic Party has an opportunity to recover in the fight to keep the White House. He added Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., could be on the shortlist for a new ticket for either a vice-presidential slot or even a presidential slot if Vice President Kamala Harris isn't in the picture.
“What you’re seeing is the opportunity to generate an enormous eruption of enthusiasm just because we have another choice," Yarmuth said.