The Ohio congressional Democrat said Thursday he is “getting closer” to asking President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race because his ability to win reelection “may be too high a mountain for him to climb.”
Lanzman, who would retake the long-held Republican seat in 2022, added, “I was hopeful, and to some extent I still believe, that (Biden) would make the case that Donald Trump is unfit to be president and that he would not only destroy but undermine our democracy, but I think that’s looking less and less likely.”
background: Democrats are concerned about Biden’s chances of reelection, especially after his disastrous defeat in last month’s CNN debate, and his status as the top contender could hurt the party in lower-ranked races this fall. Many Democrats have been reluctant to publicly call on Biden to step down, but more are doing so loudly after Biden went on the offensive this week to solidify his support. Biden said in a letter to Democratic lawmakers on Monday that he will seek reelection despite the growing concerns, and in an interview he hit back at party “elites.”
Landsman told Hunt that Biden would be an American hero and “be able to say, look, I have to step down now.” The Ohio Democrat also echoed former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s argument that it’s ultimately up to Biden whether to seek reelection, but warned that “he doesn’t have a lot of time.” He also warned that a second term under former President Donald Trump “would be dangerous.”
Biden is scheduled to hold a highly-anticipated news conference on Thursday, a key moment for the president to showcase his ability to answer questions unscripted.
Lanzman expressed concern about Trump’s reelection and questioned whether Biden could make his case persuasively to the American people.
“It shouldn’t be that hard to build a case against this guy, a former president. Biden has to do it. If he can’t do it, he has to get somebody else to do it,” Lanzman said.
