Liberal public figures and other Twitter users have come out in agreement with prominent Washington Post columnist David Ignatius in his stance that President Joe Biden should not run for reelection in 2024.
Ignatius wrote an opinion column Tuesday in which he urged Biden not to run for a second term, in large part due to the president’s old age and the vast unpopularity of Vice President Kamala Harris. A number of left-leaning Twitter users agreed with the columnist in response to his op-ed.
Journalist Brian Krassenstein “somewhat” agreed with Ignatius in a lengthy tweet posted Wednesday.
“I hate to say this but I somewhat agree with Ignatius,” Krassenstein began. “Let me explain: This does not at all mean that I won’t be voting for Biden in 2024. Ignatius highlights all of Biden’s accomplishments. There are many. He then points out, however that 69% of Democrats think he’s too old. This is a major liability, and I do feel that his age is a concern. I was just talking to my wife last night and we said the same thing. ‘Biden is so old. I hope that his age doesn’t give Trump a possible “in” for re-election.’ This is a concern that many Democrats have. They like Biden, but they realize that he will be 86 by the end of 2028.”
Krassenstein argued Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom would have a significant advantage over 80-year-old Biden and would “almost guarantee” a victory against Trump.
“I know some on the left will be angered by this post, but listen to that voice inside your head. For the record I am a huge Biden supporter,” Krassenstein concluded.
Washington Post columnist David Ignatius is getting a lot of heat this morning for writing an article titled: “President Biden should not run again in 2024”
I hate to say this but I somewhat agree with Ignatius.
Let me explain:
This does not at all mean that I won’t be voting… pic.twitter.com/ctcNl92KEJ
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) September 13, 2023
MSNBC’s Barry McCaffrey called Ignatius’ piece “thoughtful” and argued Biden would do the U.S. a service by backing a new candidate.
“A very thoughtful piece by David Ignatius. Agree Pres Biden gift to America and his legacy would be to energize and back a new Dem candidate,” McCaffrey said. (RELATED: Journalist David Ignatius Urges Biden To Not Run For Reelection)
Opinion | President Biden should not run for reelection in 2024 – The Washington Post — (A very thoughtful piece by David Ignatius. Agree Pres Biden gift to America and his legacy would be to energize and back a new Dem candidate.) https://t.co/DrrIozqhV2
— Barry R McCaffrey (@mccaffreyr3) September 13, 2023
“He’s too old. It’s so obvious. Another democrat needs to step up,” another Twitter user said.
He’s too old. It’s so obvious. Another democrat needs to step up.
— Jacob in Cambodia 🇺🇸 🇰🇭 (@jacobincambodia) September 13, 2023
“If you were Biden, wouldn’t you just want to chill out and enjoy the rest of you days with less pressure?” another wrote.
If you were Biden, wouldn’t you just want to chill out and enjoy the rest of you days with less pressure?
— William ⚡ Laurent (@WilliamLaurent3) September 13, 2023
A majority of Democrats believe Biden is too old to effectively govern and should not serve a second term in office, according to recent polls. A total of 77% of Americans, including 69% of Democrats, do not believe Biden has the capacity to govern effectively, a recent poll from the Associated Press/NORC found. A Yahoo/YouGov poll from March found nearly half of surveyed Democrats, 48%, believe Biden is not fit to run against because of his age.
The president has repeatedly dismissed concerns about his age, arguing in April that he has delivered “overwhelmingly positive results.” He remains the current frontrunner in his party for the Democratic presidential nomination, according to RealClearPolitics approval ratings.