U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton: 'Grave Concerns' About Joe Biden's Campaign

SALEM, MA — U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Salem) is one of the Capitol Hill Democrats now publicly expressing what he called "grave concerns" about President Joe Biden's ability to defeat former President Donald Trump in November after a shaky debate performance raised more questions about Biden's capacity to endure a grueling campaign at 81 years old.

Moulton made the rounds on national broadcasts this weekend after issuing a statement saying that he has deep respect for President Biden and "all the great things he has done for America" but that Biden needs to show he still has what it takes to win in the fall.

"Beating Trump is imperative for the future of our democracy, especially now that the Supreme Court just handed him a blank check to act like a king," Moulton said. "Winning will require prosecuting the case in the media, in town halls, and at campaign stops all over the country.

"President Biden needs to demonstrate that he can do that. The unfortunate reality is that the status quo will likely deliver us President Trump."

On Monday, President Biden reportedly told House Democrats he "declines" to step aside and that it was time for party drama around his candidacy "to end."

"I am firmly committed to staying in this race, to running this race to the end, and to beating Donald Trump," Biden said in a letter to Democrats.

Moulton said before Biden's statement that over the past 10 days, he had been "having nonstop, tough, honest conversations with colleagues and other Democrats" and that he is "taking time to seriously consider the best strategy for Democrats to win this election and set our country on a positive path forward."

Moulton was briefly a candidate for president in the 2020 election cycle where Biden eventually emerged as the party's nominee. He also previously challenged former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a failed bid to oust her from her leadership position in 2018.

"I've always said that America needs to elevate a new generation of leaders, and I respect those colleagues who have already spoken out," Moulton said. "We should have all viable options on the table."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)