Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) said Wednesday Democrats should consider “all viable options” as the party weighs next steps amid concerns about President Biden’s standing as the presumptive party nominee.
“When your current strategy isn’t working, it’s rarely the right decision to double down. President Biden is not going to get younger,” the moderate Democrat wrote in a statement Wednesday.
Moulton said he and his colleagues have “been having nonstop, tough, honest conversations” since Biden’s shaky debate performance sparked concerns last Thursday and said he is “taking time to seriously consider the best strategy for Democrats to win this election.”
“I’ve always said that America needs to elevate a new generation of leaders, and I respect those colleagues who have already spoken out. We should have all viable options on the table,” Moulton said.
With his statement, Moulton becomes the latest Democrat to signal concerns about whether Biden should remain at the top of the ticket.
Two House Democrats, by Wednesday evening, already called for Biden to step aside.
House Democratic leaders and veteran House members have largely been supportive of Biden as he and his team have argued the president is up for another term in office and have brushed off concerns about the debate as a bad night for him.
“He knows how to do the job, not because he says it, because his record proves it. Because for three and a half years, almost four years, the president’s record has been unprecedented, delivering for the American people,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Wednesday.
Moulton praised Biden for his administration’s achievements and did not mention any concerns about his mental capabilities. Instead, Moulton said he has “grave concerns” about Biden’s ability to win in November.
“Beating Trump is imperative for the future of our democracy, especially now that the Supreme Court just handed him a blank check to act like a king,” Moulton said, referring to the high court’s decision this week that core presidential powers are immune from criminal prosecution.
Moulton said that to win, Biden would need to be “prosecuting the case in the media, in town halls, and at campaign stops all over the country.”
“President Biden needs to demonstrate that he can do that. The unfortunate reality is that the status quo will likely deliver us President Trump,” Moulton said.