WASHINGTON – The New York Times editorial board in an op-ed wrote that US President Joe Biden should suspend his presidential campaign after a poor showing at the first presidential debate and let a new Democratic candidate take his place.
“Biden has been an admirable president. Under his leadership, the nation has prospered and begun to address a range of long-term challenges, and the wounds ripped open by (former president Donald) Trump have begun to heal. But the greatest public service Biden can now perform is to announce that he will not continue to run for re-election,” the editorial board stated on Friday, reported Sputnik
The editorial board said that at the debate, Biden failed to convince the American public that he was fit to serve a second term in office.
Biden struggled to explain what he would accomplish in a second term, struggled to respond to Trump’s provocations, and struggled to speak on several occasions, the editorial board pointed out.
“The clearest path for Democrats to defeat a candidate defined by his lies is to deal truthfully with the American public: acknowledge that Biden can’t continue his race, and create a process to select someone more capable to stand in his place to defeat Trump in November,” the editorial board said.
On Thursday evening, Biden and Trump participated in a CNN-hosted debate in Atlanta. Biden’s performance reportedly sparked concerns among Democrats and raised questions about the future of his candidacy.
Biden and his campaign admitted earlier in the day that the US president had a rough showing at the debate in Atlanta but they assured the public that they would not end the re-election bid. – June 29, 2024