Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced on Sunday that he will not seek the Democratic nomination for the 2024 presidential election. Speaking on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Moore emphasized his support for President Joe Biden, who he believes will remain in the race despite recent criticisms following a lackluster debate performance.
“Joe Biden is not going to take himself out of this race – nor should he,” Moore stated. He made it clear that he “will not” be pursuing the nomination and will instead focus on supporting Biden’s reelection campaign. Moore has been actively campaigning for Biden in Milwaukee and plans to continue his efforts through November to ensure the president’s reelection.
Moore’s decision comes amid growing concerns within the Democratic Party about Biden’s age and cognitive abilities. A recent CBS News poll revealed that only 27% of voters believe Biden has the cognitive ability to serve as president, a significant drop from 35% just weeks ago. Nearly three-quarters of voters, including almost half of Democrats, think Biden should not run for reelection.
Despite these concerns, Moore remains steadfast in his support for Biden. “Joe Biden is our nominee, Joe Biden is our leader, and Joe Biden has earned — and Joe Biden deserves — the confidence, the respect, and frankly the partnership that we now have to provide to him,” Moore said.
Biden himself acknowledged his subpar debate performance, admitting that he doesn’t “debate as well as I used to.” At 81 years old, Biden struggled to counter falsehoods from former President Donald Trump and delivered rambling answers in a hoarse voice. However, his campaign has made it clear that there are no discussions about him stepping aside.
Moore pointed out that both Biden and Trump had difficulties during the debate, but he emphasized the importance of performance. “So it wasn’t a great night for the president or Donald Trump. But I also do know that performance does matter,” Moore said, contrasting Biden’s record with Trump’s.
Moore acknowledged that Biden “had a tough night,” but he praised the president’s resilience. “When we get knocked down, we get back up,” Moore said, citing Biden’s performance at a campaign event in North Carolina the following day. “He got back up and he got back to work.”
When asked about the possibility of younger alternatives within the Democratic Party, Moore highlighted Biden’s response to the Baltimore bridge collapse earlier this year. He described Biden as a “remarkable partner” during times of trial and praised his commitment to keeping his promises. “I saw when he said that he was going to be with us every step of the way that he is a man of his word. And I respect that, and I admire that and I will always stand by that,” Moore said. “That is why I defend this president, that is why I need another four years.”
Moore also addressed the importance of young voters, a crucial demographic for Democrats. He believes that young voters will see themselves reflected in the president’s surrogates. “I’m the youngest Democratic governor in this country, the only African American governor in America, and we’re out here all the time,” Moore said. “We’re going to the people and we’re making our case to the people as to why this kind of partnership matters.”
Connecticut Democrat Rep. Jim Himes also appeared on “Face the Nation” and downplayed the significance of Biden’s debate performance. He pointed to Biden’s record of legislative achievements and his ability to set a positive tone for the country. “I’m not so cynical as to believe that the American people are going to choose a president based on a 90-minute debate rather than a four-year record of startling legislative achievements and of setting a tone that the rest of the world says ‘wow, you know, America is back to the decent leader that we used to believe that it was prior to the Trump administration,'” Himes said.
The Democratic Party has faced criticism for not addressing concerns about Biden’s age and mental sharpness. However, the party’s reaction to Biden’s debate performance has sparked discussions about potential alternatives. Names like Vice President Kamala Harris, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg have been floated as possible candidates should Biden step aside.
Despite these discussions, Moore remains committed to supporting Biden. He believes that Biden has earned the confidence and respect of the party and deserves another term. “Joe Biden is our nominee, Joe Biden is our leader, and Joe Biden has earned — and Joe Biden deserves — the confidence, the respect, and frankly the partnership that we now have to provide to him,” Moore reiterated.
As the Democratic Party navigates the challenges of the 2024 election, Moore’s decision not to seek the nomination and his unwavering support for Biden highlight the complexities and dynamics within the party. With the election season heating up, the focus will remain on Biden’s ability to lead and the party’s efforts to rally behind him.
Source: CBS News
