A leftist political organization began acting this week in the wake of the midterm elections to put pressure on Joe Biden to agree not to run for reelection in 2024.
The group is RootsAction, which supported Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in his presidential campaigns in 2016 and 2020 as a “Democratic Socialist.” It launched a new ad campaign entitled “Don’t Run Joe” on Wednesday.
The first ads are running in New Hampshire, where the first presidential primaries will be held in the next election cycle. The group plans to expand the ads nationwide as more states come into play in the nomination process.
One of the ads states that Democrats “cannot risk losing in 2024” and “shouldn’t gamble on Joe Biden’s low approval rating.”
Biden’s approval ratings have fallen significantly throughout 2022, averaging in the low 40s even as Democrats appear to have avoided the midterm blowout loss many had predicted.
RootsAction is managing a Don’t Run Joe website promoting the campaign, where the group warns that renominating Biden for a run at a second term would be a “tragic mistake.” It adds: “Unfortunately, President Biden has been neither bold nor inspiring. And his prospects for winning reelection appear to be bleak.”
The website adds that no president is “his party’s king” and has “no automatic right to renomination.” The group promises that if Biden does seek another term, “he will have a fight on his hands.”
RootsAction is no startup political organization. The group claims an email list of 1.2 million supporters all over the nation and says it expects to bring other grassroots organizations on board with its efforts to urge Biden into a quiet retirement in Delaware.
Recent polls have shown that a majority of America’s Democrat voters do not want Biden to run again in 2024. Most respondents indicate their largest concern is Biden’s age and mental clarity. The president will soon turn 80 years old and would be 86 at the end of a second term if he runs again and wins.
Biden has repeatedly said that his “intention” is to run again, but said on Wednesday that he will not plan on making any official statements until early 2023.
the argument that Biden is more electable than Newsom is a tough one to make
if someone is of the belief they stole it for Biden that doesnt explain why they wouldn't/couldn't do the same for Newsom https://t.co/J9nbf4zxqF— Michael Malice (@michaelmalice) November 11, 2022
RootsAction has not said who it would like to see run in Biden’s place on the 2024 Democratic ticket, although most progressives appear to strongly support California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) as a replacement candidate.
