The Democratic Party’s internal strife has intensified as prominent figures call for Biden to step aside following his recent public appearances. These unprecedented calls for a former president to retreat from public view highlight the desperation within Democratic circles. Is the Democratic Party experiencing an identity crisis?
Democrats Openly Call for Biden to “Go Away”
Joe Biden’s post-election media appearances have sparked unprecedented criticism from within his party as Democrats process their 2024 defeat. Democratic strategist Chuck Rocha delivered a blunt assessment, stating, “It’s time for Joe Biden to go away with all due respect and let the next generation of Democrats take the mantle.”
Biden’s appearance on ABC’s “The View” particularly alarmed party members when he struggled to answer a question about cognitive decline, requiring First Lady Jill Biden’s intervention. His fumbling response reinforced the very concerns that plagued his presidency and reportedly factored into his decision to step aside from seeking reelection earlier this year.
If Joe Biden’s appearance on The View was supposed to show people that he was mentally fit to hold office for the next four years, it has accomplished the exact opposite
pic.twitter.com/H5yQmpAcmE— Ian Miller (@ianmSC) May 8, 2025
Next Generation Leadership Push Intensifies
Amanda Litman, co-founder of Run for Something, echoed the growing sentiment among party activists that Biden’s continued visibility hinders rather than helps. “Every interview that Biden does drags us backwards and reminds people of the older generation of Democrats that got us into this mess — when attention is our scarcest resource, we need to prioritize hearing from the next generation of leaders who could excite and rebuild the party,” Litman stated.
Democratic insiders worry that Biden’s determination to shape the narrative around his presidency and the election outcome is counterproductive to the party’s recovery efforts. Recent polling indicates voters had significant concerns about Biden’s age and mental acuity throughout his presidency, issues that Republicans successfully leveraged during the campaign season.
🚨 WATCH: The View asks Joe Biden about reports about his mental decline, and he spends a whole minute babbling
And then Jill has to jump in to save him.
That tells you EVERYTHING. pic.twitter.com/LX4h0PE0dh
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) May 8, 2025
Legacy Challenges and Media Scrutiny
Biden’s attempts to defend his record face additional complications with upcoming publications and potential media releases that could further highlight concerns about his cognitive state. Political observers note that the selection of a new Pope temporarily diverted media attention from Biden’s “View” appearance, possibly sparing the former president from more extensive scrutiny of his performance.
Senator Amy Klobuchar recently suggested that Democrats “would’ve been better served by a primary” in the 2024 race, implicitly criticizing the party’s handling of Biden’s candidacy before his withdrawal. The growing chorus of Democratic voices calling for Biden to step back reflects a party desperate to turn the page and begin rebuilding without being constrained by the controversies of the past administration.