'Pass the torch': Biden faces strongest call so far to drop out of White House race
File: US President Joe Biden (C) in the US Congress
Top Democrat leader Adam Schiff on Wednesday (Jul17) publicly urged United States President Joe Biden to drop out of the presidential racefor another candidate. HouseRepresentative Schiff became the most heavyweight Democrat so far to ask Biden to make way for somebody else to faceDonald Trump, the Republican nominee for November presidential elections.
Schiff called on Joe Bidento "pass the torch".
The top Democrat anda key congressional powerbroker praised the incumbent president. But Schifftold the Los Angeles Times that he doubts that the 81-year-old incumbent can defeat Trump, whom he described as a threat to "the very foundation of our democracy."
Also watch |US: Seven democrats ask Biden to step aside
The Californian, who is expected to win a Senate seat this November, is one of the most influential members of the Democratic Party.
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Schiff served as chairman of the House intelligence panel when Democrats had the majority in 2019. He shot to nationwide prominence as lead prosecutor during then-president Trump's first impeachment trial.
In a statement to the Los Angeles Times, Schiff aired hisworriesthat have taken over the Democrats, which they often expressedin private. There are concerns among the Democrats thatBiden's age and health will doom him and the party in the November election.
These concerns were aggravated after the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee'sperformancein a televised debate with Trump last month when the incumbent US president looked confused and was often unable to articulate his thoughts.
Since then, Biden has repeatedly said he intends to stay in the race. However, polls show a tight overall contest withTrumpreportedly pulling ahead in key swing states.
Schiff called Biden "one of the most consequential presidents in our nation's history."
However, "a second Trump presidency will undermine the very foundation of our democracy, and I have serious concerns about whether the president can defeat Donald Trump in November."
Biden should "secure his legacy" by stepping aside, Schiff said.
(With inputs from agencies)