Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown calls for Biden to drop out of the 2024 race

[RipVanWinkle]

Source: NBCnews.com

Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio called on President Joe Biden to end his re-election campaign Friday, becoming the fourth Democrat in the chamber to ask Biden to drop out of the race.

“Over the last few weeks, I’ve heard from Ohioans on important issues, such as how to continue to grow jobs in our state, give law enforcement the resources to crack down on fentanyl, protect Social Security and Medicare from cuts, and prevent the ongoing efforts to impose a national abortion ban,” Brown said in a written statement shared first with NBC News. “These are the issues Ohioans care about and it is my job to keep fighting for them.”

“I agree with the many Ohioans who have reached out to me,” Brown added. “At this critical time, our full attention must return to these important issues. I think the President should end his campaign.”

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/ohio-sen-sherrod-brown-calls-biden-drop-2024-race-rcna162804

[regnaD kciN]

1. Welp...that's it, then...

I don’t think Joe can survive this.

[Jon Ace]

10. I think he can

If Pelosi, Jeffries, and Schumer explicitly say something like this, then that's where I think it's "joever".

Though, I'm sure we'd hear something different from Biden before it came to that.

[DownriverDem]

27. Jeffries

came out today and said he supports Biden. Are we being jerked around?

[thesquanderer]

66. Jeffries also said his position has not changed. So he didn't come out and say anything "new" today.

see https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143275548

[HarryM]

73. And where does Pelosi get off

Age shaming Biden? She is 3 years older than Joe!

[Scrivener7]

79. But did she? Did she really?

[flying_wahini]

110. She hemmed and hawed over it but then said he should " whatever he wants to".

Not a rousing endorsement at all.

[Demsrule86]

99. There will be no Joe-over unless Bidens decides to...and he won't. He is the president and they can't force him to

step down no matter what rich donors demand.

[birdographer]

39. I assume you're kidding n/t

[Captain Zero]

60. Brown said end campaign; not resign the presidency. WHY that's important

Only if Biden REMAINS THE PRESIDENT, and he has to make the final decision to leave the campaign.

BECAUSE Kamala Harris MUST REMAIN THE VICE PRESIDENT to preside at the Electoral count on January 6, 2025.

I sure hope everyone understands this.

The Senate and Congress are sworn in before Jan6.
If the Republicans win the Senate and there is no vp (because KH has assumed the presidency)
It will be Grassley or Hawley as the pro tempore leader of the electoral session and they will not allow a newly elected Democrat's electoral votes to be counted, it will be a coup for sure.

[Walleye]

76. Resigning the presidency is a big fucking deal. I haven't seen any reason for Joe to do that or step out of the race.

[Demsrule86]

98. Really, You do understand that it has no affect on Biden as the presumptive nominee right?

I worry that Sherrod Brown has damaged his chances, and we need that seat.

[blm]

2. 😢

[Captain Zero]

4. Brown is getting no donations from me

He just screwed the pooch with that one.

[FeelingBlue]

48. It's too late for me.

He’s already got my money. 😩

[KSNY]

68. I was about to donate to him...scratch that idea

In the wake of JD Vance's VP nomination, I was going to support Sherrod Brown, but this made me change my mind. Will donate to Biden instead.

[DownriverDem]

71. From me neither

Either is Schiff getting any more from me.

[orangecrush]

3. Trashed

[Polybius]

45. Why?

It's bad news, but it's major news. We have to hear it.

[Butterflylady]

85. Why,

We have our nominee, we need Biden.

[Polybius]

90. And I agree with that

But we need to know who's with us and who isn't.

[Polybius]

106. I agree

[DAngelo136]

105. Why Do We Have To Hear From Him?

This smells rather suspicious to me. What exactly is he worried about?
"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, maintained a fundraising advantage over Republican opponent Bernie Moreno in the Ohio Senate race according to campaign finance reports filed Monday, in an election that could shift the balance of power in the Senate." It goes on to say: "April quarterly campaign finance reports show Sen. Sherrod Brown raised $12 million while Bernie Moreno raised $3.8 million" and "The reports mirrors a broader trend of Democrats in battleground Senate races outraising Republicans" and "The high level of fundraising also reflects Democratic concerns that several Senate seats could flip Republican" this was from 4/16/24.
And he doesn't think that Joe Biden has anything to do with that? I suspect he's being leveraged by the donor class to be a backstabbing Dem. Even more of a reason for Joe Biden to resist and for us to resist.

[BonnieJW]

89. You have to let them know

Tell them you are a donor but won't be giving him any love. I wonder how to let Clooney know I consider him a fascist supporter.

[Desert grandma]

5. Darn!

And I just donated to his campaign. So terribly disappointed and heartbroken..

[Freethinker65]

6. Sherrod agrees with Biden's policies on all of these issues but calls for him to step down.

Does he honestly think Democrats can win the House and Senate when they cave to campaign donors so easily? Do they honestly think President Trump will abide by any legislation they pass should Democrats by some stroke of luck after this BS take both houses of Congress? What if donors don't follow through on their promises of campaign funding and these idiots are being played?

[EarlG]

11. Right?

Here’s a crazy idea — why doesn’t Brown tell those Ohioans about what Joe Biden has done to help them with the issues they’re interested in? Seems like that might be more productive than whatever it is that’s going on here.

This is a pretty big gamble to take on his Senate race. If Biden is out, there’s no guarantee that his replacement will help Brown down ticket — it might even hurt him, there are probably already more than a few Dems turned off by this announcement. But if Biden stays in, what’s Brown going to do? Campaign against him? Or flip flop and say “my bad, Biden is fine?”

[TwilightZone]

25. "what's Brown going to do"

He's not going to campaign against Biden. He, and all of the others, will almost certainly support Biden, because he'll be the nominee and regardless of their perception of his status, he's still light-years better than Trump, and defeating Trump is the stated goal in all of this. It may look a bit duplicitous but it's also undeniably true.

Look at it in the context of a primary campaign. People who support one candidate bash on the others, then mostly support and vote for the nominee in November. Same thing with politicians. They endorse a candidate. If that candidate loses, they support the eventual nominee. They don't campaign for the R.

[EarlG]

29. Maybe...

I mean if Brown genuinely believes that Biden is going to drag him down in Ohio, and Biden stays in, then Brown might conclude that running against him -- or at least, running as a "non-Biden Democrat" -- is the only way to win. Ohio is a pretty red state after all. Biden doesn't have much chance to win there, but Brown does, and if he thinks he has to pull a Manchin to do it, he just might.

One would hope that it wouldn't come to that... but then one would also hope that we wouldn't be seeing bunches of Democrats, including Brown, calling for the incumbent Democratic president to drop out of the race less than four months before the election...

[Demsrule86]

102. I live in Ohio. And Tim Ryan tried that approach distanced himself from Biden and other districts. He lost.

I think he could have won with a different approach. There are still many Democratic voters in Ohio mostly jammed into Cuyahoga country so a Democrat must win that county with big numbers or you lose. And it won't happen if you distance yourself from Democrats. Republicans will not be your friends no matter what.

[Botany]

7. Ohio here

Running off the best President we have seen in our lifetimes is an outstanding way
to make sure we lose the Presidency, the senate, and the house too.

[LisaL]

23. That's what I am afraid of.

Democrats are doing it to themselves.

[Deuxcents]

26. They are doing that to us, the voters out here

[debm55]

109. I was just going to post the same. I live in PA and John Fetterman has stood up for Joe. This whole thing by elected

Democrats is shit.

[birdographer]

41. Well, they aren't doing it to me.

Are they doing it to you? Are you going to vote blue in November? Even if a handful of Dems say we have no chance? This is how trump got his cult together--people believing shit and thinking they have to band together. If one says it, they all believe it. Sheesh, get out of the cult, use some critical thinking, look at why MSM and everyone else is making you think this and stop falling for it. Biden is doing just fine, and he will win, something they are terrified of.

[PortTack]

63. Thx....great post!!

[Mz Pip]

67. Yep

I always thought Sherrod was prime presidential material. He may just have cost himself his seat and thrown the Senate to the Republicans.

Disappointed isn’t a strong enough word.

[relayerbob]

8. Buh-bye, Senate

Hope those rich donors can cover your ass. Maybe you should've pointed out how HE IS ALREADY DOING THAT.

[Blue Owl]

9. Has he heard Joe's campaign manager?

JOE AIN'T DROPPING OUT.

NOW DROP THIS SHIT.

[Quixote1818]

75. Problem is, in private Joe is said to be mulling things over.

Public and private communications can be very different. You have to look 100% like your running in public until you simply aren't.

[Hope22]

93. Yes....

….some people say…….

[Demsrule86]

100. That how you hide the bullshit that isn't true...some say....sources.....

[grockri]

12. All these folks are being blackmailed by the megadonors.

They need campaign cash. They are being blackmailed by the rich assholes. I am sick of this crap. These megadonors aren't Democrats. They are just like the right. They want tax cuts. Screw them. Tax the piss out of them.

[Talitha]

30. THIS!! We voted for Joe in the primary and the megadonors and chickenshitDems are trying to invalidate us.

Talk about the ultimate voter suppression.

And look at how the Repugs have tried to weaken Joe. They tried to impeach him - that went nowhere. They went after Hunter and it didn't come out well - but hey, Hunter's not running for president. So that also went nowhere in their plans to kneecap Joe.

I read the transcript of the debate and Joe did just fine. But I'm guessing that's when the megadonors decided to put a financial gun to the heads of the Dems - and I'm shocked to see who's caving in. Shame on them all.

Gutter politics is ugly but Joe said he's staying in - and we've got his back.

I'm ridin' with Biden!!

[PatrickforB]

56. Damn right! Tax the shit out of them. We have to find a way to stop this billionaire-corruption.

Confiscatory wealth tax, anyone?

[Demsrule86]

101. Yes...and I expect more from them.

[Raven123]

13. Hey, Sherrod. Were those Dems calling you or Republicans.

[LisaL]

21. He isn't even saying the constituents were concerned about Biden.

He says they were concerned about issues.
Somehow his constituents being concerned about issues means Biden has to step down.

[Elessar Zappa]

36. His statement is pretty weird.

He says that Ohioans care about all these issues and just throws in at the end “oh and Joe should resign”. Strange.

[Butterflylady]

87. That's a good point

Because we know how much they lie.

[nowforever]

14. Brown

I guess he is looking to protect his seat and decided backstabbing the President is good strategy. Last polls had him leading by 6 points but that was prior to debate. Guess big money has put the knuckles to Sherrod and he bent like a wet noodle...COWARD.

[chowder66]

15. I sure would like to know about those "Ohioans". Are they actual voters? Are they democrats?

Are they real democrats? Are they mostly independents and republicans? Are the big donors?
I'm asking because his statement doesn't make a lick of sense to me. What he can't keep fighting if Biden is President?

When hasn't Biden fought to keep SS and Medicare safe. When has Biden not fought against the abortion ban. Biden has been
fighting fentanyl at the border if I remember correctly and that would help to stem the tide of it reaching states like Ohio.

Does he want Biden to stop campaigning? What DOES HE MEAN our full attention should return to these important issues?

Are there ratfucking people signed up as democrats who are not democrats pushing this?

[LisaL]

22. He isn't claiming these Ohioans wanted Biden to drop out of the race.

He claims they wanted to discuss issues such as abortion.
How that means Biden has to step down is beyond my understanding.

[riversedge]

16. OMG. I have to say, I think that Sherrod Brown would have been at the bottome of

my list to ask Pres Biden to step down. just shocked, I am at this announcement.

[24601]

74. I believe you serve the President and the nation best when you offer honest views. Politics certainly isn't suffering

from a critical shortage of sycophants. Candid views with difficult messages however are offered best in private. Taking that kind of discussion public is self-serving.

[ReadytoRetire]

17. Won't Work Out Well for Sherrod.

I seem to remember many Dems backstabbing Obama and B. Clinton; yet I cannot recall a single instance in which turning on presidential candidate worked out well for the turncoat. Bluedogs will Bluedog, I guess.

[groundloop]

18. I have to admire GQPers for their ability to stay in line.....

They have an absolutely pathetic candidate who can't stay awake at his own convention, yet you don't hear this bullshit from them. Only unity.

Our "leaders" need to learn that lesson.

[KPN]

88. They have already pretty much driven those who aren't self-serving and rational out of the party.

Pretty easy to tow the line when one's doing it because it's good for one's self.

[Beartracks]

19. So do they really think HE can't win, or are they thinking that the distraction...

... of all the Dems who are trying to kneecap him will suck energy out of the campaign and cause him to lose?

================

[TexasBushwhacker]

20. Well, that's disappointing n/t

[VeryProgressive]

24. No

I love Sherrod Brown, but he is wrong here. I am sure it's being driven by the fact that he is in a close race in Ohio, but he can do this if he gets behind the President in a strong way.

[Diraven]

28. So his logic is that

Last edited Sat Jul 20, 2024, 08:12 PM - Edit history (1)

Biden just continuing his campaign is distracting from important issues? As if Biden dropping out wouldn't drive the media into an orgiastic frenzy of non-stop "Democrats in Disarray!" stories until November... 🙄

[LisaL]

31. Yep, there is no logic whatsoever in his statement.

His constituents being concerned about issues doesn't mean Biden has to step down. But in his mind it somehow does.

[crimycarny]

42. Brown's Republican opponent has already spun this to "If Biden unfit to run he must resign the Presidency"

What absolute morons these Dems calling for Biden to drop out are. If they say he's unfit to run again, that kneecaps Biden's current Presidency.

Here is how Brown's GOP opponent responded to Brown's announcement:

“If Joe Biden is unfit to run, he is unfit to serve,” Moreno said in an emailed statement from his campaign. “I am formally calling on Joe Biden to resign the Presidency because his continued presence in the situation room is a national security threat. I hope Senator Brown will join me.”

Hook, line, and f*ng sinker.

Brown is going to have to spend all his time playing defense in his own campaign now. His opponent is going to use his own words against him. "Why did you vote for the policies of a President you just claimed was unfit?" (Yes, I know Brown didn't specifically say Biden was "unfit" but how else is anyone supposed to take that?)

[LisaL]

81. Yep, he sure did.

NT

[WVGal1963]

32. And this is the last time I will donate to Sherrod unless he

…starts explaining, like others, WHY THEY ARE DOING THIS TO OUR CANDIDATE???

GO JOE! WE’VE GOT YOU JOE! STAY WITH US, JOE!

[crimycarny]

33. Sherrod Brown also asked Senator Al Franken to resign

Spineless

[Talitha]

34. Read the words these chickenshitDems are saying.

Doesn't seem to me that any of them are wholeheartedly behind what they're saying - their words read like a hostage note. Sounds like they've been told what to do, and are 'presenting the idea' as vaguely as they can, y'know?

Megadonors are holding a financial gun to Dems' heads and M$M isn't helping in the least. But Joe says he's staying in, and I believe him. He's gonna take Dump down - again.

[Hope22]

35. Says the 71 year old man.......

Senator Brown I didn’t call you because I thought you were smarter than that. If you win this fall you will be 77 at the end of your term. Guess that will be it for you. If…Dems actually go to the polls to vote for you if Biden drops out. I can’t believe this.

[kelly1mm]

37. Et tu, Sherrod ..... nt

[sanjermane]

38. I'm in Ohio

Sadly. @!# you, Sherrod. What you said makes no sense. Don't come crying to me for money this time around.

[Warpy]

40. Sherrod, you are turning 72 this year, which makes you no spring chicken, yourself

I'd love to know who's giving Congress their orders these days.

This is just plain weird. Biden is showing signs of being exhausted, but not demented.

Brown knows damned full well it's too late to get anyone else on the ballot in all 50 states.

WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE?

[totodeinhere]

43. Untrue. Whoever gets the nomination will be on the ballot in all 50 states.

n/t

[Hope22]

92. Is that true of Ohio?

I know there was some consternation about the lateness of the DNC Convention this year and Biden making it on the ballot here. They cleared it for Biden but are the ballots printed now?

[GreenEyedLefty]

44. I'm pondering leaving the Democratic Party

I have never been so disgusted and disappointed by the calls for one of the most competent and capable presidents in history to step aside with just a few months to go before such a consequential election.

Unbelievable.

[Scrivener7]

82. Oh, that'll help.

[Blue Full Moon]

46. Wait a minute

Phone calls? A state full of Republicans who would like nothing better than to have Biden removed. Sure.

[LisaL]

49. Brown isn't even claiming that those calling him were asking for Biden to be removed.

He just says he is getting phone calls from constituents about issues. There is zero logic in his statement that getting phone calls about issues means Biden has to step down.

[Blue Full Moon]

50. Sounds more like republicans about taxes

[Ninga]

91. Yes, you spotted it.Carefully worded for sure. His opponent will have a field day punching our

dear President because of Brown stating Biden must step,down.

[SunSeeker]

47. Damn.

[texasfiddler]

51. I guess Biden wasn't pro union/worker enough for Brown?

[GiqueCee]

52. So, Brownie...

... the money boys threatened to pull the plug on you unless you caved like the coward you are. You, and all the rest have given absolutely NOTHING to justify you craven calls for Biden's capitulation except "Serious Concerns". I wonder how long you'll be able to live with yourself before YOU pull the plug.
You're Disgusting.

[kellytore]

53. I agree with Senator Brown

I love Joe and he has done a great job. He is not able to get out and campaign as a President should in a close race. All of you guys on this site including myself would vote for Joe no matter what happens, but it's the independents and dissatisfied republicans who we need to get out and vote. There will not be enough enthusiasm to get these people to the polls. I know what I am saying is not the popular thing amongst most people on DU, but it has to happen in order for us to not only win the Presidency but also the House. Sherrod Brown and others before him have seen the internal polling and it is not good and will not get better unless we make a change. Biden has been a great President but it is becoming more obvious that his cognitive ability is not there to take on Trump this time around. Look, I am from Atlanta and I watched Hank Aaron play baseball and he was one of the greatest in the game, but when he turned 80 I would not have put him in my lineup because I would have wanted to win, and it has nothing to do with his prior accomplishments.

[GiqueCee]

70. So they suckered you in, too...

To the best of my knowledge, hitting homers, running bases, or fielding fly balls are not part of a president's daily schedule, so your comparison is a strike out.
And, like so many other Chicken Littles, you're undoubtedly basing your erroneous assessment of Biden's "cognitive abilities" on that dog-and-pony show debate, in which Joe, while definitely under the weather, TOLD THE TRUTH, when Trump did nothing but LIE.
There is not the remotest possibility that a suitable substitute candidate could be found at this late date, or that said candidate could build an effective campaign.
I have maintained from the jump that the the malice, mendacity, and unbridled greed of the Big Money donors are behind this despicable, and thus far, very effective, effort to divide the Democratic Party, and force them to betray the only candidate that has already beaten Trump, and has an unmatched record of achievements to draw upon in his re-election campaign. By the way, he also has a Cabinet of the best, and most experienced, people in the business.
Joe is the candidate. Period.
You might want to reconsider your position.

[BurnDoubt]

54. Yeah, NO...

Way to stick to the issues. Ohio voters need your advocacy. Why don't you stay in your lane and remind your constituents that you're part of a PARTY focused on improving their Future. And that Joe Biden has been in there swinging on their behalf and has pledged to devote whatever is left of his life to keep on swinging. THERE IS NO FUTURE IN PREXIT! Ask UK citizens how that's going, and where. Your poor judgement doesn't help an electorate trying to decide if we have the Judgement, Commitment, and Determination to prevail. Joe Does... and apparently YOU DON'T.

[Linda ladeewolf]

55. Unsubed

I just unsubscribed from Browns email, giving his turning his back on Biden as the reason.

[Bayard]

59. I'm going to do the same

I get at least 3 emails a day from him.

Here's a tinfoil hat theory: All of the Dems turning on Biden is because trump told them--if you do this for me, I won't put you in front of a firing squad when I get back in the White House. Silly? About as silly as the excuses these people are coming up with to turn on Joe.

[totodeinhere]

61. So just because you disagree with him on this you're going to throw him under the bus?

I thought that we were supposed to be a big tent party where diversity of opinion is welcome. But after reading DU lately maybe not.

[Linda ladeewolf]

72. We are the big tent.

But unsubscribing gives you the opportunity to tell the politician why you are doing so! If enough people unsub giving not supporting Biden as the reason they might change their minds.

[quakerboy]

57. Another one to throw under the bus, I guess

It's interesting how there are some folks i would regard as smart, respectable, and savy on both sides of this conversation. I see liberals and moderates on both sides. I see people i suspect of being more money motivated on both sides.

I only see one side namecalling, which starts to look like desperation.

Noone can force Biden out of the race. It's his choice at this point. And I will respect whatever choice he makes.

[SouthBayDem]

58. Bummer, I thought Brown was a genuine public servant.

Turns out he's a sellout.

[tavernier]

62. I'm honestly starting to think that these old farts that only had one chance left

got pissed off when Joe decided to run again.

Sure explains a lot.

[angrychair]

64. So let me get this straight

A 72 yr old man, running for an office in which he will be 78 yrs old when his next term would end, is calling someone else old?
Sorry, any elected Democrat that acts like this is hard to call them a Democrat.
We didn't believe in the same Party or it's people.

[Polybius]

65. For the record, he turns 72 in November

That makes him a full 10 years younger. While your point is 100% correct (stay in the race, Mr. President), 10 years is not exactly a small difference. I feel a lot worse now than when I was 40.

[angrychair]

94. On some more thought on this subject

If you are a member of Congress and older than the average age for Congress, which I think is 67, than you should sit down and shut up about another politician's age.
Plus, since is become clear that Silicon Valley tech-bros are behind this, it's clear that Brown is in their pockets so screw him

[Rincewind]

69. Dear Senator Brown,

please lead by example. Resign immediately,and pledge to never run for office again. Put country before your personal power. I have friends who live in Ohio, they deserve better than you and Vance.

[onecaliberal]

77. Agree.

The ones calling to get rid of our votes, should also be stripped of our votes and step down.

[Keepthesoulalive]

78. We need to stop worshiping politicians

Most of them will do whatever it takes to get elected or re-elected. That’s why they eat bad food, kiss babies or hug grandma . Unfortunately many of them can be bought by big money . We must be as pragmatic as they are and vote for what is in our best interest because most of them will do anything to keep their positions. Vote Joe

[NotHardly]

80. Another red democrat traitorous f*ck

[waterwatcher123]

83. How About Issuing a DU Press Release Calling for the Democratic Turn-coats to Drop Out of Their Respective Races.

[cilla4progress]

84. Performative?

Or for real...

SMDH

[New Breed Leader]

86. Ohioans - BILLIONAIRE DONORS

don't believe that lie Sherrod is telling you

MONEY IS TALKING AND SHERROD IS WALKING

[thumper2547]

95. Joe needs to remember these people

Joe needs to remember all of these spineless dopes when he wins in the fall.

[Blue Full Moon]

96. Him and his fake hillbilly buddy

[Demsrule86]

97. This may cost him the race. I hope not.

[Polybius]

107. I think it might too

Many of us are pissed at him for this.

[bromeando]

103. Primary

Someone should ask Brown why he didn't put his name in the hat for the primary.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

104. Received a fund raising e-mail from Brown today

I let him know that if he wants money from me he should support Biden.

[demgrrrll]

108. Please explain to me how the crypto bros are strong arming Brown.

I don't understand this at all. I keep looking for something else other than money driving this but I am not finding it now.

[valleyrogue]

111. And Mr. Brown, who are you going to blame if you get beat? n/t