(WBEN/AP) - In a stunning editorial piece Friday, The New York Times editorial board writes that President Joe Biden should make the difficult decision to step aside in the race for reelection.
“The greatest public service Mr. Biden can now perform is to announce that he will not continue to run for re-election,” the editorial wrotes Friday evening.
Biden’s stumbling debate performance Thursday night demonstrated him to be “the shadow of a great public servant,” the Times said in the piece.
“There are Democratic leaders better equipped to present clear, compelling and energetic alternatives to a second Trump presidency,” the editorial read. “It’s too big a bet to simply hope Americans will overlook or discount Mr. Biden’s age and infirmity that they see with their own eyes.”
The Biden campaign was quick to repsond to the editorial, saying:
“The last time Joe Biden lost the New York Times editorial board’s endorsement it turned out pretty well for him,” campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond said. In 2020, the Times took the unusual step of endorsing two candidates during the fight for the Democratic nomination: Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
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Biden appeared to acknowledge the criticism during a rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, saying ”I don’t debate as well as I used to.” But he added, “I know how to do this job. I know how to get things done.” Speaking for 18 minutes, Biden appeared far more animated than he had the night before as he excoriated Trump for his “lies” and for waging a campaign aimed at “revenge and retribution.”
“The choice in this election is simple,” Biden said. “Donald Trump will destroy our democracy. I will defend it.”
He added, alluding to his candidacy, “When you get knocked down, you get back up.”
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