Current:Home > InvestRep. Adam Smith on why Biden should step aside — "The Takeout"-LoTradeCoin
Rep. Adam Smith on why Biden should step aside — "The Takeout"
View Date:2024-12-23 15:44:08
Congressman Adam Smith, who represents Washington and was among the first House Democrats to call on President Biden to exit the presidential race after his dismal debate, talked with CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett on "The Takeout" podcast about why the president, who easily clinched his party's nomination, should now walk away from the race.
"When Joe Biden walked off that debate stage two weeks ago, there was only one thing to do," Smith said. "And that was for his team to say, 'We're done.'"
Smith is among at least 13 House Democrats to have publicly expressed opposition to the president's reelection bid. Smith suspects "somewhere between three and 10" more to also come out against Mr. Biden, bringing the total to around 20.
Smith believes the president has a strong platform to run on, but he "can no longer effectively deliver the message."
He believes Vice President Kamala Harris should replace Mr. Biden atop the ticket and suggested Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer should be her vice president.
"The country has been saying since the start of this campaign, give us somebody different," Smith said. "They've been begging for somebody different. If the Democratic Party at a convention with our delegates, came out and gave them somebody different, I think we would get an incredible boost out of that."
If Mr. Biden stays in the race, however, he will still have Smith's full support.
"If Joe Biden runs, he is the best candidate of the field by a wide margin. Even in his current condition, he is the best candidate in this field by a wide margin."
Smith called Mr. Biden one of the best first-term presidents ever but worries a loss in November would forever damage his legacy.
"You have an incredible legacy. Don't screw it up," Smith said about Mr. Biden. "It's unfair and it's unforgiving, but if you run and you make a mistake and you misjudge how strong you are to get into this campaign, you're jeopardizing your legacy and you care about this country."
Executive producer: Arden Farhi
Producers: Jamie Benson, Jacob Rosen, Sara Cook and Eleanor Watson
CBSN Production: Eric Soussanin
Show email: [email protected]
Twitter: @TakeoutPodcast
Instagram: @TakeoutPodcast
Facebook: Facebook.com/TakeoutPodcast
- In:
- Joe Biden
veryGood! (61581)
Related
- Jennifer Lopez Gets Loud in Her First Onstage Appearance Amid Ben Affleck Divorce
- The Traitors Reunion Teaser Shows the Aftermath of Season 1’s Shocking Finale
- GOP senators push back on Ron DeSantis over Ukraine
- Stassi Schroeder Is Pregnant, Expecting Baby No. 2 With Beau Clark
- DWTS’ Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten Have the Best Reaction to Fans Hoping for a Romance
- Two new feel-good novels about bookstores celebrate the power of reading
- The Negro League revolutionized baseball – MLB's new rules are part of its legacy
- The Dutch are returning looted artifacts to Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Does it matter?
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Red Velvet, Please
- Prolific Brazilian composer and pianist João Donato dies at 88
Ranking
- Demure? Brain rot? Oxford announces shortlist for 2024 Word of the Year: Cast your vote
- Lizzy Caplan and Joshua Jackson Steam Up the Place in First Fatal Attraction Teaser
- A complex immigrant family story lies beneath the breezy veneer of 'Sunshine Nails'
- 'It's not over yet': Artists work to keep Iran's protests in view
- The Latin Grammys are almost here for a 25th anniversary celebration
- The Traitors Reunion Teaser Shows the Aftermath of Season 1’s Shocking Finale
- Larsa Pippen Has the Best Response When Asked About 16-Year Age Difference With Boyfriend Marcus Jordan
- Soldiers find nearly 2 million fentanyl pills in Tijuana 1 day before Mexico's president claims fentanyl isn't made in the country
Recommendation
-
Jenn Tran's Ex Devin Strader Throws Shade At Her DWTS Partner Sasha Farber Amid Romance Rumors
-
Halsey Looks Nearly Unrecognizable During Terrifying and Amazing Paris Fashion Week Modeling Debut
-
3 women missing in Mexico after crossing from Texas on trip
-
Blake Shelton Reveals Why He's Leaving The Voice After 23 Seasons
-
Sports are a must-have for many girls who grow up to be leaders
-
We unpack the 2023 Emmy nominations
-
'The Bear' deftly turns the 'CORNER!' into Season 2
-
3 women missing in Mexico after crossing from Texas on trip