MOLINE, Ill. — News 8 reached out to Congressman Eric Sorensen and other local democrats for their perspective on growing concerns surrounding President Biden's age, health and ability to lead the nation ahead of the 2024 election.
Sorensen, U.S. Representative from Illinois' 17th congressional district which includes the Quad Cities, responded with the following statement:
“I am listening to my constituents on their views concerning the President. But as one of the most bipartisan members of the House with local supporters from both parties, it’s my goal to not get caught up in political wrangling. Instead, I am working with Republicans and Democrats to get the job done for the people. Focused squarely on the needs of the people I serve, I will leave the politics to the pundits on cable news."
Rock Island County Democrats
Illinois State Representative Mike Halpin, Rock Island County Democrats Chair, sent News 8 the following statement on Biden:
“President Joe Biden is our candidate, and we are supporting him. Our unity is our strength. As we face a Republican party that has been co-opted by Trump and that refuses to hold Trump accountable for his immorality and illegality, we as Democrats know that Joe Biden is right on health care policy, is right on the economy, and is right on international affairs. Most importantly, Joe Biden is the only candidate in this race we can trust not to undermine the values and institutions of our democracy.”
Biden's Debate Performance Creates Health Concerns
Administration officials have blamed his confused and at times indecipherable answers at the June 27 presidential debate with Republican Donald Trump on a head cold, jet lag and poor preparation at Camp David. But at 81, Biden has found his health to be a key issue for many voters going into November's election. Dr. Kevin O'Connor, Biden's physician, issued his first comment since the debate late Monday, after White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre struggled to address questions about the president’s health at Monday’s news briefing.
“Look, I have a cognitive test every single day,” Biden told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, referring to the tasks he faces daily in a rigorous job. “Every day, I have that test. Everything I do. You know, not only am I campaigning, but I’m running the world.”
The 81-year-old Biden made it through the 22-minute interview Friday without any major blunders that would inflict further damage to his imperiled candidacy. But it appeared unlikely to fully tamp down concerns about his age and fitness for another four years and his ability to defeat Donald Trump in November.
On Saturday, another Democratic lawmaker joined close to a half dozen in saying Biden should not run again. Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota said that given what she saw and heard in the debate, and Biden's “lack of a forceful response” afterward, he should step aside “and allow for a new generation of leaders to step forward.”
Craig posted one of the Democrats' key suburban wins in the 2018 midterms and could be a barometer for districts that were vital for Biden in 2020.
The interview left Biden in a standoff against a not-insignificant faction of his party with four months to go until Election Day, and with just weeks until the Democratic National Convention. The drawn-out spectacle could benefit Biden’s efforts to remain in the race by limiting the party’s options to replace him. But it also could be a distraction from vital efforts to frame the 2024 race as a referendum on Trump.
During the interview, Biden insisted he was not more frail than earlier in his presidency. He said he undergoes “ongoing assessment” by his personal doctors and they “don't hesitate to tell me” if something is wrong.
“Can I run the 100 in 10 flat? No. But I’m still in good shape,” Biden said.
As for the debate, “I didn’t listen to my instincts in terms of preparing,” Biden said.
At least five House Democrats have called for Biden to step down as the nominee. While not going that far, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said in a carefully worded statement Friday that Biden now has a decision to make on “the best way forward.”
“I urge him to listen to the American people and carefully evaluate whether he remains our best hope to defeat Donald Trump,” Healey said.
In the interview, Biden was asked how he might be persuaded to leave the race. He laughed and replied, “If the Lord Almighty comes down and tells me that, I might do that.”
There were also a few signs of discontent at Biden's campaign rally Friday, with one person onstage waving a sign that read “Pass the torch Joe” as the president came out. His motorcade was also greeted at the middle school by a few people urging him to move on.
But Rebecca Green, a 52-year-old environmental scientist from Madison, said she found Biden’s energy reassuring. “We were just waiting for him to come out strong and fighting again, the way we know he is."
Many Democratic lawmakers, who are hearing from constituents at home during the holiday week, are deeply frustrated and split on whether Biden should stay or go. Privately, discussions among the House Democrats flared this week as word spread that some of them were drafting public letters suggesting the president should quit the race.
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