George Clooney: I Admire Joe Biden, But It's Time for a New Nominee
As a lifelong Democrat, I take pride in my party's values and principles.
I've actively participated in the democratic process, organizing major
fund-raisers for candidates like Barack Obama in 2012, Hillary Clinton in 2016,
and Joe Biden in 2020. Recently, I co-hosted the largest fund-raiser in support
of President Biden’s re-election. I share this to highlight my deep commitment
to the process and the significance of this moment.
I have great respect and affection for Joe Biden—as a senator, vice
president, and president. I consider him a friend and trust his character and
morals. Over the past four years, he has achieved many victories.
However, time is a relentless opponent, one that none of us can defeat. It
pains me to admit it, but the Joe Biden I saw at the recent fund-raiser was not
the same dynamic figure of 2010 or even 2020. He seemed tired, and while it
could be due to a cold, our party leaders must acknowledge what 51 million
viewers witnessed. We are so fearful of a second Trump term that we are
ignoring clear warning signs. The George Stephanopoulos interview only
reinforced our concerns. As Democrats, we often hold our breath when we see the
president speak or navigate public events. This issue is about age, an
irreversible factor. We cannot win in November with this president, risking not
only the presidency but also control of the House and Senate. This view is
shared privately by many senators, Congress members, and governors.
We criticize the Republican Party for its unwavering loyalty to a single
individual, yet many of our own members are hesitant to face the reality. The
situation has changed, and it is time to be honest.
Arguing that Democrats have already decided through their votes ignores the
recent, troubling developments. We believe Republicans should reconsider their
nominee after his conviction on 34 felonies. Likewise, top Democrats—Chuck
Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, Nancy Pelosi, and others—should ask President Biden
to step aside.
The fears about what might happen next are unfounded. The funds in the
Biden-Harris campaign could support a new presidential ticket and other
Democrats. The new nominee would still appear on ballots in key states. Our
party has a strong bench, and we don’t follow a cult of personality; we elect
presidents through a democratic process. We could have several strong Democrats
step forward to lead the country and address the concerning trends from Donald
Trump’s campaign.
Let’s hear from leaders like Wes Moore, Kamala Harris, Gretchen Whitmer,
Gavin Newsom, Andy Beshear, J.B. Pritzker, and others. Let’s focus on their
visions for the country rather than attacking each other. We can enter the
Democratic convention next month with a clear path forward.
