RivCo Congressman Joins Top Democrats Calling For Biden's 'Bow Out'

RIVERSIDE, CA — Riverside County congressman Mark Takano and three other senior Democrats joined others calling for President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential campaign during a meeting of party leaders Sunday, according to multiple media reports.

A private call Sunday, orchestrated by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, was attended by multiple Democrats concerned for the upcoming election, and was a "poor omen for the Biden campaign as the entire Democratic elected apparatus" returned to Washington Monday.

The New York Times journalists said that Takano was not alone in his statements. The ranking member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs was joined by Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, Adam Smith of Washington, the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee, and Joseph Morelle of New York, the top Democrat on the Administration Committee.

The Times cited multiple anonymous sources in discussing the meeting, including media outlet Politico, which published similar reports.

Takano could not be reached to comment on the report Sunday.

The 63-year-old Riverside native has served in Congress since 2013 and represents the 39th Congressional District, which includes parts of Riverside, Jurupa Valley, Moreno Valley and Perris.

Many Democrats have been pressuring Biden to drop out of the race against presumptive Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump due to mounting concerns about Biden's age and fitness for office. The drumbeat for change began after Biden appeared to lose his train of thought amid flagging energy during CNN's presidential debate on June 27.

During a televised interview with ABC News, the president has defied those calls, saying that he plans to stay in the race and win. He told reporters that his poor debate performance was the result of a "bad night," and that he took full responsibility for the lackluster performance that has led to trailing in the poll, according to Politico.

According to his ABC News interview, Biden stated that only "the Lord almighty" could force him from the upcoming race. It remains to be seen what Senate Democrats will say in their upcoming conversation about Biden's path to another term. No firm date was established for that conversation, according to Politico.