Leftist Democrats hit out as party loses patience with Biden
DISGRUNTLED Democrats are pushing themselves forward as alternatives to Joe Biden, amid fears the president’s unpopularity could cost them the next election.
Even loyalists have begun voicing concern that Mr Biden is failing to rise to the moment of crisis in the country, which has been riven by recent decisions on gun control and abortion rights.
Democrats, expressing their worry to various US media outlets, said this week was a lost opportunity to define the stakes of the November midterm elections, when the party faces the prospect of losing control of the Senate.
As they grow impatient, more progressive voices – including governors Gavin Newsom of California and JB (Jay Bob) Pritzker of Illinois – have begun to emerge.
Mr Newsom, a businessman who is running for reelection, is pushing to make California an abortion “safe haven” and has announced new gun restrictions while waiting for Congress to pass its own.
He recently took out a combative campaign ad in Florida attacking Republican Governor Ron DeSantis.
“Where the hell is my party?” Mr Newsom scolded fellow Democrats after Mr DeSantis passed his antiLGBTQ so-called Don’t Say Gay bill. “Why aren’t we calling this out? This is a concerted, co-ordinated effort. And, yes, they’re winning.”
With Mr Biden more inclined to look to build consensus rather than division, the governor has been positioning himself as chief Democratic spokesman against Republican Trumpism.
Meanwhile, Mr Pritzker took direct aim at the National Rifle Association and pro-gun Republicans and demanded leaders do more to combat what has become a scourge of epidemic proportions.
Fifty-seven-year-old Jay Bob, named after his Hyatt
‘Where the hell is my party? Why aren’t we calling out the Don’t Say Gay bill?’
hotel chain-owning father’s two brothers, has put into practice in Illinois many of the policies Mr Biden had feted but has so far failed to deliver, including overseeing the legalisation of recreational use of marijuana.
Commentators say this more aggressive brand of politics is what is needed to take on a mobilised and determined GOP.
For “any politician who wants to gain a national platform, that message is really resonating with where our voters are,” Sean McElwee, a progressive pollster, said.