Analysis: Why Georgia Democrats are holding the Biden line for now

ATLANTA — The most prominent Georgia Democrat to call for President Joe Biden to drop out of the November race is a one-term U.S. House member who was roundly rejected by party loyalists two years ago.

Meanwhile, the vast majority of the party’s leaders in this swing state are sticking with Biden despite his disastrous debate last week in Atlanta. There is a powerful sense of loyalty to Biden, whose first term has been deemed a success by liberals and whose leadership of the party has helped make Georgia a true battleground.

But there is also a thread of pragmatism in this approach. As Biden struggles with the most significant political threat to his presidency since he defeated Donald Trump in 2020, there are many Democrats who say there is simply no other way.

Support could soon swing either way, as Biden’s schedule quickly fills with interviews and other high-profile activities.

Preventing Trump’s return to the White House, however, remains the top priority for Democrats supporting and questioning Biden’s position on the ticket.

Democratic leaders note that timing, party rules and lack of consensus on a Plan B would make it difficult if not impossible to replace Biden and still win.

And that is especially true with Biden giving no indication that he will step aside willingly.

U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams joined a chorus of Democrats in dismissing his poor debate performance as a rough night. It should not overshadow his decades of service, said Williams, who also serves as chair of the state party.

“I have bad days. You have bad days. We all have off moments. But what I know is over the past 3 1/2 years, when President Joe Biden has stepped up to lead the country, he has led at every measure,” Williams said on Tuesday’s “Politically Georgia” radio show. “And he beats Donald Trump by leaps and bounds.”

Interviews with more than a dozen Democratic officials revealed a deep sense of duty to the president even as many acknowledged his performance at the debate confirmed fears about his health and mental fitness.

...continued

swipe to next page