San Mateo County Dems stay the course with President Biden
Featured Article By Holly Rusch, Daily Journal staff | Jul 11, 2024 | LINK
San Mateo County Dems stay the course with President Biden
Poor debate performance divides some in the party
President Joe Biden is continuing to defend his candidacy against concerns over his age, fitness and mental acuity after a disastrous first debate performance - and San Mateo County and California Democrats seem to be following suit.
With little over a month until the Democratic National Convention, elected officials, donors and voters alike have been grappling with how to best handle rising conversation on whether the current president should step out of the race and allow for a new nominee.
While 10 congressional Democrats thus far have suggested Biden should drop out, many are continuing to support his second bid for the White House.
The majority party consensus remains with Biden, longtime San Mateo County Democratic activist and lawyer Joe Cotchett maintained.
"I think most people I've talked to say, look, 'we got to get off our rear end and really move forward.' He is an extraordinary human being in that he has a good understanding of how the world works," Cotchett said. "Don't even get me started on Trump."
U.S. Rep. Kevin Mullin, D-South San Francisco, said in a statement that he was continuing to support the Biden-Harris administration.
"America deserves a president who will defend the integrity of our elections and voting rights, who believes in science and understands that climate change is real, who respects reproductive rights and freedoms, and who is willing to put the common good above their own personal interests - that is why I support the Biden Harris administration," the statement read.
Mullin is continuing to listen to constituents on the matter, per the statement, although his focus remains on Democrats taking control of the House this fall, he said.
U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Karen Maki, San Mateo County Democratic Party chair, also said the group had no comment on Biden's continuing candidacy and would need to pass a resolution to do so.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, whose name has been raised by pundits as a potential front runner should Biden step down, has continued to fiercely advocate for Biden, going so far as to campaign for him in New Hampshire Monday.
"He's going to be our nominee," the AP reported Newsom telling reporters.
Other California leaders, like U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, have also insisted that Biden will remain the party's nominee.
Going to an open Democratic National Convention wouldn't be the right move for the party, who needs to unite around defeating Trump, Cotchett said, although he acknowledged concerns around Biden's mental acuity as valid.
"It's not like there aren't any concerns. The answer is yes, there are, and we're going to see in the next several weeks whether we overcome that or not," he said.
“We’ve seen it for the last four years, he’s constantly been making gaffes,” she said, noting that his border and public safety policies are ultimately what makes her unsupportive of him. “A moderate Democrat would be more preferable to the extreme policies Biden has put forth.”
Should Biden need to step down because of a serious medical condition or illness, there are leaders who could step in, Cotchett said, although he maintained Democrats should "wait and see where this all goes in the next couple of weeks."
"What is critical now is everybody getting actively involved," he said. "Everybody's got to step up to the plate, because democracy is on the line ... the most important day in your life, in my life, is going to be Nov. 6. Fifth is the Election Day, but sixth is the day after."
Anna Kramer, San Mateo County Republican Party chair and a candidate for Mullin's current seat, said that Biden is a poor president and candidate.
"We've seen it for the last four years, he's constantly been making gaffes," she said, noting that his border and public safety policies are ultimately what makes her unsupportive of him. "A moderate Democrat would be more preferable to the extreme policies Biden has put forth."
The Republican party is united in support of Donald Trump because of his political stances on immigration, crime and foreign policy, she said.
"These are all personal attacks - let's talk policy. This is what's lacking in our country," she said.
