Schiff calls on Biden to drop out, citing 'serious concerns' he can't win

[JCMach1]

Source: LA Times

Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank), who is running for U.S. Senate in California, is calling for President Biden to drop out of the presidential race, he said in an exclusive statement Wednesday to The Times.

Read more: https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2024-07-17/schiff-calls-on-biden-to-drop-out-citing-serious-concerns-that-he-can-win

---

This goes beyond previous reports and is an active call for Biden to leave the race...

Biden should jump on this and attack. Watch the poll bounce if he does.

[BoRaGard]

1. Schiff is shitting all over the Democratic Party

By shitting on Joe.

FAIL.

You know the RNC will be bellowing about this all night long. "Ha ha, suckers, they will sing. Even your own biggies think your candidate is a senile loser."

Fug 'em.

[NotHardly]

94. Schiff needs to STFU ... this stuff is not helpful to any Democrat

[hume]

112. Scary times

Schiff was about the only person in Congress I respected.

Now, I wonder what his agenda is. Did some wealthy person just pay him off?

[lark]

2. Well damn, Adam has gone over to the dark side.

If I lived in his area, I too would have voted for Katie Porter - she might have some loyalty~

[Klarkashton]

3. Fuck that guy. He pushed out Katie Porter

And now this. He's become a real pain in the ass.

[totodeinhere]

26. He didn't push out Katie Porter.

The California Democratic voters pushed her out. They could have elected her if they had wanted to.

[yellowdogintexas]

104. Katie Porter could also have chosen to stay in the House

We needed her so badly to hold that seat.

[onecaliberal]

28. I said much less yesterday and got a hide.

[Klarkashton]

58. The guy is STILL pushing this defective messaging

I'd say he's undermining Biden.

[onecaliberal]

60. Of course. Who is he actually supporting?

[Klarkashton]

63. He doesn't say. He figures he can talk all the shit

He wants since he is essentially running unopposed. Seems like a win for Trump would put him in position to be the loyal opposition which is to his personal advantage.

[onecaliberal]

67. He is running against Steve Garvey.

Who he supported in the primary to beat Porter.

[Klarkashton]

69. I know.

Being one of Porter's earliest grass roots supporters and volunteer in her first election I was proud to see her work over the years.
The Garvey thing is a horrible scandal in my opinion.

[onecaliberal]

70. Yup, and now this.

[DiceK]

47. How was she pushed out?

[Jose Garcia]

85. He got more votes

[DURHAM D]

4. Why doesn't he talk about a replacement.

What is the process?

This is a really bad idea for him to push this.

[onecaliberal]

30. His owners are calling the shots.

[DiceK]

48. who are his owners?

[Biglinda 52]

51. The same big donors...

who want Biden out. Squeeze from the middle to get to the top. Schiff is now an embarrassment.

[DiceK]

64. Which big donors?

[onecaliberal]

75. Do your research.

[AZSkiffyGeek]

78. So you don't know, gotcha!

Also, you're the one making the claims, it's on you to back it up.

[DiamondShark]

118. Did you skip the news the last few days?

"Anonymous sources" in the Hamptons. How can someone "name names" for "anonymous sources?"

[DiceK]

79. Great

I'm more than happy to read up on this. Mind sharing your sources? Any links?

Thanks!

[Linda ladeewolf]

89. The people in this article are some

https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2024/07/as-donor-concerns-mount-which-replacement-could-match-bidens-fundraising-power/

[onecaliberal]

52. Go look at who donated.

Why would he support a republican over another Dem?

[DiceK]

65. I'm confused what republican did he support?

[onecaliberal]

71. Steve Garvey

[DiceK]

74. I thought he was running against Garvey?

[AZSkiffyGeek]

82. The thinking in backwards world is that by running ads AGAINST Steve Garvey

He was secretly campaigning FOR him!

[duckworth969]

100. Knock it off

Corporate donors are pulling strings. Any thought to the contrary lacks common sense.

[DiceK]

125. Knock it off?

So which Democratic Party members are owned by corporations and which ones aren't?

[Irish_Dem]

38. I wonder if this is all going to come out at the convention.

They are softening up the voters and then going to launch their plan.

[Walleye]

54. I don't think there is any mechanism for replacing Joe if he wants to hold onto his delegates

[Irish_Dem]

59. I don't understand asking Joe to step down with no plan b.

Unless the plan is just to damage Joe.

[ribrepin]

121. It's starting to look like the plan

is to damage Biden.

[Irish_Dem]

122. It is hard to believe Pelosi, Schumer, Schiff would do this to the party.

It just doesn't make sense they are trying to hurt the election chances.

[ribrepin]

123. It doesn't make sense to me

but they are doing it. I don't see how this helps the party.

[Irish_Dem]

124. I've been a Democrat since childhood. I'm going to hear out Pelosi and Schumer.

I am not happy with them right now, but they deserve respect and a fair hearing.

[hlthe2b]

5. Damn, damn, damn. I thought much more highly of Schiff and now have to wonder

if some of those other stories have any truth (e.g., Pelosi et al)

A depressed and demoralized base is not the way to win!

[orange jar]

7. Pelosi is definitely who I'm most interested in hearing from.

She hasn't come out to discredit reports of her "talks" with other party leaders. Very curious.

[JCMach1]

10. I strongly suspect the Pelosi story is true now...

I think it also shows a big part of what is going on is a disconnect with the West Coast part of the party and active subversion by the liberal leadership component of it.

[BigDemVoter]

36. I am SO disappointed in Schiff.

[BlueKota]

6. My respect for him is gone.

It may not be his intention but he is helping no one but Trump by being so public with this.

[Ninga]

8. Still!!! WE NEED UNITY! This week is the perfect

week for leadership to step up United behind our Biden. I am so very disheartened by this. It’s damaging. It makes the less than regular voter ambivalent.

[Big Blue Marble]

14. There is no unity in the Party

Clearly there is extreme dissent.

[Ninga]

20. Clearly you are right. I cannot believe this!!

What the fuck are these people who’ve I supported and have had faith in for so many years doing? Why is Adam Schiff continually beating on Biden? His voice is a lone one among the quiet of these past 4-5 days. Is the leadership letting him take the lead on the ouster of Biden??????

[Big Blue Marble]

62. It is an important question to consider

as Pelosi and Schiff are extremely close. It is hard to imagine that she did not sign off
on his statement.

[Irish_Dem]

49. Blue

Do you think the billionaire donors have gotten to him?
What is going on?

Are billionaires pulling strings everywhere?
Or something else?

[captain queeg]

9. Not good.

[MOMFUDSKI]

13. Just heard from a rethug on the TV that

Dems are lying about Joe and they must win. All fed by this Adam guy. WTF? He will be on my shitlist forever

[sinkingfeeling]

11. He just might be causing his own election defeat.

[maxsolomon]

24. that's unlikely.

but this is a big crack in the dam.

[BootinUp]

73. No it isn't. It changes nothing, it might

Bring more resources to Schiff to shut him up.

[onecaliberal]

33. He's not, he's running again Steve fucking Garvey.

That’s why there were zero concerns until the corporates decided there were grave ones.

[orange jar]

12. What are they seeing that's different from us?

Not in regards to Biden's re-election chances, but polls showing who exactly would have a higher chance of winning against Trump. Every poll that we've seen shows that Biden has the best shot, with other favs polling as well as Biden at best. Do they have someone in mind? Because if not, then I'm afraid that Biden stepping down isn't going to do much to benefit us…

[JCMach1]

16. Down ticket? Specifically California/NY and control of

The House I believe are the polls that scare them.

Also WV and MT would be 100% gone in a Trump win + probably more

[jmbar2]

37. Why would the down-poll voters vote in favor of tyranny, and not support democracy?

Do they really think they'd be better off under Trump/Vance?

[JCMach1]

44. Here is the poll the Poobah's are clutching their pearls over

https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2024/07/17/new-polling-bolsters-dump-biden-push-00168943

[Qutzupalotl]

15. Qutzupalotl calls for Schiff to drop out. He lacks the intestinal fortitude to win.

Katie Porter is ready to step in and actually support Democrats.

[onecaliberal]

35. She's still raising money for Dems. So yeah.

[OrlandoDem2]

19. I'm leaning that way.

[Nictuku]

18. I regret my vote for him now

.... should have voted for Katie Porter.

[onecaliberal]

40. I voted for Katie.

I’m sorry to say this but given the choice between male and female, I will pick the woman. As long as it’s a Dem.

[SunImp]

117. She was the better choice & better person

Lot of overly critical people smeared her here

[Bleacher Creature]

21. Crazy thought, but maybe he's just genuinely fearful of a second Trump Presidency.

Immediately throwing good Dems under the bus doesn't seem like the best path forward.

[JCMach1]

23. What he is actively pushing doesn't help

[Walleye]

56. Schiff is not an expert on elections, he's only ever been elected to one congressional district

[CrispyQ]

66. We're all genuinely fearful of that but it's way too late to be having this discussion.

My senator, Bennet, has also called for Biden to step down claiming we're going to lose in a "landslide" & down ballot, too. WTF, Senator?

I've written & asked him three questions. 1. Do you want Biden to resign now & turn the presidency over to Harris & Harris will be our candidate? 2. Do you want Biden to continue as prez but drop out of the race & then Harris would become our candidate? 3. If not Biden or Harris, then who? Even among the hand-wringers there's not a consensus who can win if not Biden. Also, I'm really disappointed they didn't choose to proclaim Joe's accomplishments, like list the infrastructure projects in their states, & also point out the numerous lies of Trump.

If they're worried about a second Trump term, this isn't helping.

[Lulu KC]

76. Exactly!

Where's the Plan B, people? Are they all meeting in little groups to bring a surprise candidate to the convention, after the delegates have already made Joe the candidate in advance?

[Bayard]

22. I am SO disappointed in Schiff for this

I've always respected him, and now, it looks like he's just stabbing his president and party leader in the back. For what purpose? I can't believe he'd be trying to help trump, and at this point, that's all the critics are doing.

[maxsolomon]

25. Of all previous Congresspeople who've called for it, this is the most serious one yet.

Schiff is an extremely careful congressman who understands the danger of Trump returning to the WH as well as any American. He was the 1st Impeachment Manager.

He also represents an LA district filled with money and power.

The internal polling must be very disturbing. The dam might be breaking.

[AntiFascist]

27. How does Schiff feel about Kamala Harris?

It sounds like he wants both out of the race, which will be a losing proposition.

[totodeinhere]

32. I think he might be dreaming of getting the nomination himself.

But dream on Adam because that won't happen.

[onecaliberal]

41. Now you're asking the right question.

[totodeinhere]

29. So should the voters in California still vote for him anyway?

Or should they show their disgust for him by withholding their vote from him? Of course if they do that then we might get Steve Garvey. I'm not sure what to say.

[Blue Owl]

31. Hey Schiff, you should know better -- DROP IT!

Now's not the time to be switching horses....

[iluvtennis]

34. Schiff must be doing this because of fears of his senate run. He's running against Steve Garvey of LA Dodgers

fame.

I can't think of any reason why Schiff who has been highly competent/respectful congress person would be trashing Biden other than he's afraid he may not win the senate seat.

Yes, Garvey is a sports legends and has that name recognition, but that doesn't mean he's gonna win. Schiff needs to get out there and campaign and show the contrast in his platform vs that of Garvey.

And for the sake of our Dem party, he needs to stop trashing Biden - I'm so tired of this shit.

[Alice B.]

39. As I said on the poll thread, I just sent another donation.

Every time I calm down, I see this stuff.
These people will end us.

[LeftInTX]

42. With friends like this.....

[BootinUp]

43. Good luck with that Schiff. Nt

[nowforever]

45. Biden has performed very well since debate

Adam use your energy to go after the Trump's insanity train and not your candidate. We need Schumer and Jeffries to now step up and shut down this clown train of opposition. Are some Democrats so stupid they cannot see they are sabotaging themselves. Are their egos so big they cannot see the forest through the trees. I can imagine the bedlam that would ensue if they try and push Joe out and insert Kamala Harris and who??? I would be so pissed off if they did that and would write in Joe Biden.

[JT45242]

46. To all of you who thought he was better than Katie Porter -- what a waste

Seriously -- you know Katie would not be doing this.

I hope she primaries his butt next time and he is sent away. His disloyalty should be considered when giving him poor, if any, committee seats next year. Let him be the pariah that is MTG and Boobert would be in a functioning congress.

[andym]

50. Biden has the most gravitas/experience-- what the strategy should be is to emphasize Biden/Harris as a team

and play up Harris-- get her more public exposure.


As for having Joe step aside who would be the replacement? The polling is talking about a fresh face, but that carries the ease at which the new candidate would be rapidly painted in a bad light by the opposition.

Harris is already part of the Biden/Harris team, so no need to make her the sole candidate-- she would be seen as the natural successor anyways.

Not sure who else could even step in for Biden who has been on the national stage (and is well known), is younger, and has the gravitas for the job: Hillary Clinton?, Al Gore? John Kerry? There is not enough time for anyone else to build a following. But would any of them even be interested? And could they even do better than Biden?

[madaboutharry]

53. Is the unspoken plan to now have an open convention?

Because if it is, there will be nothing good to come of it. It will be a free for all and chaos.

Who do they think is going to ride in on a horse and save the day? It is crazy talk. The numbers would be much more favorable today if these doomsday politicians had not participate in this circular firing squad.

I am disappointed and despondent.

[PortTack]

95. It was posted here yesterday that a virtual nomination will be held b4 august. President Biden says he has

The votes from the delegates and will be nominated ….it’s over Schiff and who ever else is yammering about this!

[OnDoutside]

55. Desperately disappointed in Schiff

[SamKnause]

57. The U.S. has 2 parties now:

The Party of Trump Fascists

The Democratic Party that is aiding and abetting the fascists.

The Democratic Party is going to cause us to lose this election.

If they do, there will be no point in voting.

Our voices are being ignored.

Our votes are being ignored.

[hume]

114. Absolutely agree!

I still cannot process Democrats trying to tear apart the party.
Like a nuclear bomb.

[Vinca]

61. If Biden doesn't win, it's because fucking Schiff is tanking the race for him. I'm seriously pissed.

[Deminpenn]

68. Not in CA, so don't know how the Dem

candidates campaigned, but if she didn't, Katie Porter should have targeted Steve Garvey in order to finish 2nd in the jungle primary.

Would Schiff being saying what he did if Porter was his opponent and not Garvey?

[LiberalLovinLug]

72. This should be a serious debate. Instead this recoil from many in here

Ultimately we ALL want to save American democracy, and rule of law, and non of us want a second Trump term. We all want the Democratic party to win.

Right?

This is a difficult time for the party. At the worst possible time.

But these painful conversations have to be debated now. Later is too late.

Many here seem to take this personally. Get over yourselves. This is not in any way taking from the many great things Joe has done in his term. And even nothing to do with his ability to make decisions in the next four years....outside the glare and pressure of a campaign trail. This is about the survival of the country. And all the social and institutional progress and freedoms built over the decades, centuries, crumbling down.

I think many are like me in here, and have been quiet, but wavering on the fence on this. Schiff's voice has a lot of weight. And shouldn't be taken lightly.

This isn't about Biden's ability on the job....its about the way the MSM can and will, cherry pick every gaff, every stumble, and run hours long segments on them. And they will be played over and over on social media platforms, where most people get their news clips.

Of course I would support Biden as long as he is in it. But we are not talking about DUers, we are talking about Independents, or moderate Republicans, the youth vote. As Hillary showed, all it takes is 50,000 disgruntled voters in a couple of swing States to tip the balance.

If the bandaid has to be ripped off, then a decision better be made soon, in order to heal the wound in time for November

[Deminpenn]

87. More magical thinking

If these Dems were so concerned about Biden, then the time to discuss that was two years ago. None if them did. Now these dissenters are engaged in actions related to self preservation, personal ambition or both, not to mention their own magical thinking.

There was a primary in which there was a younger, if less well known, candidate on the ballot. Although voters had concerns about Biden's age,
they weighed everything and picked Biden.

In his NATO presser, Biden acknowledged that if a pol thinks the top of the ticket might hurt his or her election chances, the pol will run away from it. Biden's not even mad about it.

[JCMach1]

90. There was a PRIMARY and they want an end-run around democracy...

That playbook sounds kinda familiar

[ColinC]

77. I'm calling for Adam Schiff to drop out

Out of serious concerns he’s an idiot.

[VMA131Marine]

80. Reminder: Trump is ...

A Convicted felon …
Been held liable for rape …
Is accused of illegally taking government secrets
Tried to steal the vote in Georgia
Fomented an insurrection

And Republicans still aren’t calling for him to drop out.

What is wrong with Schiff that he can’t support Joe?

[Javaman]

81. To me, it appears that a group of people were just looking for an excuse.

this is now coordinated. by whom? who knows. but it's fucked up.

[RussBLib]

83. Never thought I'd say this

...but fuck off, Adam.

I'm starting to question his judgement.

https://russblib.blogspot.com/?m=1

[Traurigkeit]

84. Wonder how Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank) offshore acounts are doing ?

[Think. Again.]

86. Wouldn't switching out Biden cause at least 2 ballots to not have a Democratic candidate on them?

[nowforever]

88. My question

When did backstabbing become a good political strategy?

[riversedge]

91. I do not see Schiff's actual words to drop out from OP nor from

this article-although Schiff's words of concern are noted again. Perhaps it was an implied drop out??
But that said--Schiff has had plenty of time to publicly say something but I do not see him interviewed again. I am Confused at this point

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/schiff-calls-on-biden-to-drop-out/

[JCMach1]

92. It's pretty clear what he said in the article as reported by LAT

Schiff said the “choice to withdraw from the campaign is President Biden’s alone,” but that he believes it is time for Biden “to pass the torch” and “secure his legacy of leadership” by allowing another Democrat to beat Trump.

Couldn't be much clearer, or more disappointing...

[Rebl2]

98. If he

and other democrats had such concerns about President Biden, why the hell didn’t they bring them up much earlier in the year or even last fall! They had ample time to bring this up, yet they waited until the last minute. These democrats are the problem, not Biden.

[riversedge]

99. I agree with you--any concerns should have been brought up MUCH earlier--like a year

ago if not more.

[JCMach1]

101. 100%, this is what Primaries are for...

I find what's going on particularly anti-democracy...

'Concerns' are for private conversation at this point of it is indeed about BIDEN'S making a decision.

It's like giving your friend advice and then going to the press about it.

Nah, that means there is additional agenda going on.

This isn't real 'concern' it's a legitimate organized attempt to take Biden off the ticket.

It looks and smells bad.

[brooklynite]

93. So much for "don't believe the NY Times".....

[elleng]

96. SERIOUS mistake, imo.

[chowder66]

97. Why doesn't he just say this in private? He is potentially hurting the Biden/Harris campaign and his own.

It doesn't make sense to me.

I'll be voting for Schiff because he's been a good representative. I'm in his district but yes, I'm baffled and disappointed.

[JCMach1]

102. Because its an organized attempt to take Biden off the ticket

In an anti-democratic way ...

[NoMoreRepugs]

103. Rather than destroy my phone and computer I'm going dark for a bit.

[Abundance77]

105. AIPAC

Nothing else needs to be said.

[JohnSJ]

106. Is there anyway we can replace Schiff with Porter here in California?

[LisaL]

108. Write in?

Is that allowed?

[JohnSJ]

110. That I wouldn't do, because it would give republicans more of a chance. My comment replace him as the Democratic

nominee for Senate, because that is what he wants to do with Biden.

That won't happen either. It was sarcasm

[japple]

107. Et tu Brute?

[Freethinker65]

109. Schiff, Californian much hated by Republicans, dissing Biden, might be a positive for Biden

If Schiff and Pelosi are against Biden, some independents and former Republicans sitting on the fence, might be swayed to vote for Biden. Biden certainly won't be beholden to those Democrats seen as trying to backstab him.

[GiqueCee]

111. So Adam...

... sweetie, baby, cookie, honey, please share with us poor, simple folk just what your "serious concerns" are. Despite the obvious condescending opinions of those inside the beltway, we are, in fact, pretty smart people and can make our own decisions, provided we are privy to ALL the information available, which you have studiously declined to share. Time to put up or shut up, Big Guy.
As it stands at the moment, Biden beat Trump's ass once already, and now he has much more ammunition and a stellar record of accomplishments with which to combat the Orange One, so your "serious concerns" had better be unassailable, rock-solid FACTS, not just self-serving opinions spoon-fed by rich donors who have ulterior motives.

[VeryProgressive]

113. What?

Concerns as to whether he can win or not is not grounds to ask anyone to just bow out of an election. What a fucking assertion. I had respect for this guy, but this not a good enough explanation or reason for what is asking. Fuck him.

[mamajudi]

115. Schiff....shut the heck up.

I voted for him in senate race, this really upsets me. I don't know what he has to gain by picking this point to spout on tv. Surely isn't making me like him much.

[Marthe48]

116. We need to stand firm

Are rwnj attacking President Biden for policy? No. Are rwnj attacking his reputation? No. What are the rwnj attacking? President Biden's age and health. No one can stop time. Age is a lame attack. As for health, I've said it before and I'll say it again. President Biden is healthier for his age than I am for mine. At this time, I am the healthiest person in my age group of my friends and family, which is surprising me.
Why are we running scared? This attack on President Biden's age is an opening salvo. If Dems cut and run now, do you think rwnj are going to back off? No. If we back President Biden and weather this attack, rwnj will find another way to attack him, and they will intensify their effort. We need to be tough now, and get tougher for the wave of attacks that are surely lined up. If Dems force President Biden to accede to rwnj attacks on him and his health, rwnj will think they have the Dems on the run. And don't they?
I'm supporting President Biden. If he had said in 2021 that he planned to be a one term President, I would've supported any upcoming Dem candidate. But no one should expect me to stop supporting President Biden because bought and paid for media personalities are going way beyond their job descriptions trying to influence public opinion and change the outcome of settled primaries.
As I write this, I know President Biden was diagnosed with Covid and I wish him a quick recovery. Traitor had Covid and I didn't hear his backers telling him to shove off. Traitor is 78 and no one is telling him to step aside. Traitor is a convicted felon, a rapist, liar, and crook. I don't want him back in the White House. On the other hand, I would love to see President Biden reelected. And for the sake of our country, once we have 2024-2028 secured, let's work on getting 2028 and beyond secured. Traitor is old, but his crop of yes men are younger than I am. Stop them, too.
Let's try to find our courage and our resolve and defend our country against rwnj fascists.

[Demsrule86]

119. Trashing and Ignore.

This sort of thing helps Trump.

[TomCADem]

120. Sen. Dianne Feinstein faces first calls to resign from members of Congress

It is surprising that Adam Schiff is calling for Biden to drop out given that he is running for former Senator Feinstein's open seat and she was allowed to remain in the Senate even though it caused a delay in the appointment of many judicial positions. Schiff did not call for Feinstein to step down, so why call for Biden to step down.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/sen-dianne-feinstein-faces-first-call-resign-member-congress-rcna79445

WASHINGTON — Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., faces calls to resign from fellow Democrats in Congress after a lengthy absence from the Senate due to health issues. Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., became the first member of Congress to call on Feinstein to resign late Wednesday afternoon.

"It’s time for @SenFeinstein to resign," he tweeted. "We need to put the country ahead of personal loyalty. While she has had a lifetime of public service, it is obvious she can no longer fulfill her duties. Not speaking out undermines our credibility as elected representatives of the people."

Khanna elaborated in a message to NBC News: "We have a crisis in the judiciary with extremist judges stripping away women’s rights. You can’t preach on television about the danger of these judges and then sit silently as Senator Feinstein misses vote after vote to confirm pro-choice judges."

"It’s time for California officials who care deeply about reproductive rights to call on her to step down at this moment in history," he said.

[Zorro]

126. Schiff would not have made this pronouncement

without having an agreement with Jeffries and Pelosi. He's highly respected in the Democratic Party and would not go so far out on a limb if there wasn't a real issue with Biden's health.

I suspect Joe's condition is worsening and would become more apparent as the campaign goes on.

There's a lot going on behind the scenes we aren't privy to.

[republianmushroom]

127. Donald Trump's Chances of Winning Election Are Declining

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143274386

[3catwoman3]

128. How profoundly disappointing that President Biden has more enthusiastic support...

…from Adam Kinzinger than he does from Adam Schiff.