Democrats are divided within their ranks regarding the status of President Joe Biden’s continued run for a second term. Meanwhile, Republicans are spinning Biden’s continued tenure as a national security risk, especially as world leaders descend on Washington this week for an important NATO Summit.
Republican Concerns and Speaker Mike Johnson’s Support
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson from Louisiana stated his support for a House resolution calling on Vice President Kamala Harris to use the 25th Amendment to replace Biden from office.
Johnson’s Justification for the 25th Amendment
Speaker Johnson said, “There’s a time to every purpose under heaven; desperate times call for desperate measures. I think the 25th Amendment is appropriate here.”
Republicans’ Long-Standing Criticism of Biden’s Fitness
Johnson and other House Republican leaders have painted Biden unfit for office and a national security risk since he fumbled the first presidential debate in June.
Speculation on Biden’s Health Post-Debate
Since then, speculation about Biden’s health and fitness has commanded the majority of the media attention post-debate, including the likely replacements if Biden were to step down.
Biden’s Stance on Stepping Down
Biden and his supporters have remained adamant that the President will not step down from the campaign. Biden even said in a televised interview that nothing but the voice of God could change his mind.
Rep. Elise Stefanik’s Criticism
Rep. Elise Stefanik from New York, a potential Vice Presidential pick for Trump’s ticket, said, “Every time we raised these legitimate concerns, far-left Democrats and their loyal stenographers in the mainstream media rushed to Biden’s defense, claiming that the diminished Joe Biden was as sharp as ever and accusing us of peddling conspiracy theories.”
Democratic Support and Internal Dissent
While national Democrats such as Governors Gretchen Whitmer and Gavin Newsom have publicly backed Biden for as long as he puts himself forward as the candidate, other Democrats with less to lose are itching for a change.
Calls for Biden to Step Down
As many as 7 House Democrats have called Biden to step down in favor of another, younger candidate.
Republicans’ View on Replacing Biden
Republicans are also spinning this dilemma over replacing Biden, though they also equally find him unfit. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has pointed out that Democrats, if they succeed in replacing Biden, will do so despite “the votes of 14 million Democratic primary voters who chose Joe Biden to be their nominee.”
Poll Comparisons and Trump’s Chances
Polls show that Trump stands a better chance of winning when heading off with Biden than he does competing against various other top contenders on the Democratic ticket. For comparison, polls show Trump losing to Kamala Harris and Hillary Clinton.
Republican Outcry Amid NATO Summit
The most recent Republican outcry against Biden’s diminished capacity to carry out his duties comes as Biden is expected to host world leaders in a three-day NATO summit this week.
National Security Concerns Highlighted by Speaker Johnson
Speaker Johnson highlighted the national security implications of the crucial event, as all of the global leaders will see Biden’s physical and mental state “with their own two eyes.”
Johnson’s Final Remarks on Biden’s Fitness
He continued, “It’s not good for us to have a commander in chief who is not on his A game, who can only work a few hours a day and can’t answer questions in complete sentences. That’s not a good look.”
