Democratic politician publicly calls on Biden to resign

A Democratic House politician has become the first in his party to publicly call on US President Joe Biden to resign as the Democratic presidential candidate, saying Biden’s debate performance did not “effectively defend his many accomplishments”.

Texas Representative Lloyd Doggett said in a statement on Tuesday that Mr Biden should “make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw.”

“My decision to go public with these serious concerns was not made lightly, and it in no way diminishes my respect for all that President Biden has accomplished,” Doggett said.

“Given that, unlike Trump, President Biden’s first commitment has always been to our country, not to himself, I hope he makes the painful and difficult decision to withdraw.

“I respectfully appeal to him to do so.”

President Joe Biden and Donald Trump (left) stand during a break in the June 27 presidential debate, during which Mr Biden put on a disturbing performance (John Bazemore/AP)

Mr. Doggett, who represents a congressional district in Austin and is serving his 15th term in Congress, is the first incumbent politician from his party to publicly say what many have been whispering behind closed doors since last week’s debate.

Biden’s lackluster showing sparked immediate panic among even his most ardent supporters, prompting many to question whether the 81-year-old career politician is the strongest Democratic candidate to face Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, in November.

In addition to the White House, control of both houses of Congress will also be at stake in November, with Democrats having to defend significantly more Senate seats than Republicans.

Mr. Doggett’s statement came minutes after former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in an interview with MSNBC on Tuesday that she thought it was “legitimate to ask” whether Mr. Biden’s volatile demeanor was just “an episode or a medical condition.”

“When people ask that question, it’s a legitimate question — for both candidates,” Ms. Pelosi said.

Ms Pelosi said she had not spoken to Mr Biden since the debate, but stressed that the president was “at the top of his game in terms of knowing the issues and what is at stake”.