Former Democratic presidential candidate Tim Ryan has delivered a stark warning in a new op-ed for Newsweek, declaring that President Joe Biden‘s promised “bridge to the next generation” has collapsed.
Ryan, who was the first to endorse Biden’s 2020 campaign, now calls for Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him as the party’s 2024 nominee, amid growing concerns over Biden’s recent debate performance and questions about his fitness for office.
“He also promised to be a bridge President to the next generation. I liked that idea. I envisioned him defeating former President Donald Trump, stabilizing the country, and passing the torch to the next generation,” Ryan writes. “Regrettably, that bridge collapsed last week. Witnessing Joe Biden struggle was heartbreaking. And we must forge a new path forward.”
Newsweek has reached out to the Biden-Harris campaign on Monday via email for comment.
The former Ohio congressman’s dramatic reversal comes as Biden, at 81 the oldest sitting president in U.S. history, faces renewed scrutiny over his mental acuity and age. Last Thursday’s debate saw the president stumble several times and speak in a low, raspy voice, which a Biden aide attributed to a cold. This performance has reignited longstanding concerns about Biden’s age and stamina, issues that have dogged his presidency from the beginning.
However, Dr. Bradley Willcox, a geriatrics expert at the Kuakini Medical Center in Hawaii, offers a different perspective on Biden’s debate performance. “His stutter is coming back,” Willcox told Newsweek. “It’s just common as you age … As you get older, the brain connections that are the cause of stutters, and inhibit the stutter when you’re younger, are not as strong.” Willcox emphasizes that these issues are related to motor-speech areas of the brain and not necessarily indicative of cognitive decline.
Despite such explanations, Ryan’s piece echoes growing Democratic anxiety. “Joe Biden’s debate performance was deeply troubling,” he asserts, adding, “This election needs to be about generational change—something about which I have been shouting for more than a year now.”
Ryan’s call for Harris to take the reins comes at a time when the party is grappling with its future direction. His endorsement of the Vice President aligns with recent polling data that suggests a growing appetite for change within Democratic ranks.
A Data for Progress flash poll found 39 percent of Democratic respondents chose Harris as their preferred replacement for Biden, should he step aside—a significant lead over other potential candidates such as California Governor Gavin Newsom and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
The op-ed paints Harris as a dynamic force capable of revitalizing the Democratic base. Ryan argues that she could energize key demographics, from young voters to communities of color, in crucial battleground states. He highlights her performance during recent public appearances as “stellar” and “masterful,” suggesting she has the charisma and skill to lead the party into the future.
Ryan doesn’t shy away from addressing potential criticisms of Harris. He argues that her background as California Attorney General would position her well on issues of law and order and border security, potentially neutralizing Republican attacks on these fronts. He even envisions her on the world stage, “making friends with our allies and not taking any sh*t from our adversaries.”
However, the path to replacing Biden is far from clear. The Biden campaign remains resolute in the face of such speculation. Spokesman Seth Schuster told Newsweek after the debate, “Joe Biden is not dropping out.” This stance is echoed by many party leaders who fear that any sign of wavering could play into Republican hands.
As the 2024 election looms, Ryan’s piece throws down the gauntlet to his own party. “America is craving this generational change,” he declares. “You can feel it in the air. It’s time for the Democratic Party to let go of the past and give the American people what they want.”
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.