Rep. Lloyd Doggett, in a twist more surprising than Biden’s debate gaffes, has urged the President to bow out of the 2024 race, likening him to Lyndon Johnson and citing risks of a Trump revival.

In an unprecedented move, Rep. Lloyd Doggett has become the first sitting Democratic lawmaker to publicly call for President Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 race. Highlighting Biden's underwhelming debate performance and lagging poll numbers behind Trump, Doggett stressed the urgent need to pave the way for new leadership to prevent a potential Trump resurgence. Despite acknowledging Biden's achievements, Doggett’s plea underscores growing unease within the party, even as Biden's camp remains adamant about his candidacy.

Doggett’s unexpected declaration comes amid a flurry of concern among Democrats regarding Biden’s campaign capabilities. The congressman pointed to Biden's debate performance, calling it 'lackluster at best,' and noted the President's consistent dips in polling against potential rival Donald Trump. “We cannot afford to take this risk lightly,” Doggett said. “The stakes are far too high, and this isn’t a game of cornhole at the family picnic.”

In a pointed statement, Doggett also emphasized the importance of steering the party towards fresh faces. “We have a deep bench of talented and capable leaders ready to step up,” he said. “It's time we give them a chance to energize our base and carry on the progress we've made. After all, even the best coaches know when it's time to send in the new players before the game is lost.”

Despite his call for a changing of the guard, Doggett was careful to recognize Biden's contributions. “We are all grateful for the President’s accomplishments during his term,” Doggett remarked. “But for the good of the party and the country, I believe a new path forward is necessary. After all, even the best shows eventually need a new season.”

Doggett’s comments reflect a broader sentiment of concern that has been simmering among Democratic lawmakers. While some express their worries in private, others, including Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and Rep. Mike Quigley, have been increasingly vocal about their apprehensions. Whitehouse and Quigley have openly criticized Biden’s debate performance and questioned the campaign’s dismissive attitude towards these concerns. It appears the Democratic camp might be turning into a bit of a high-stakes debating society, with some members ready to pass the gavel to a new leader.

“It's like we’re not being listened to,” said Rep. Quigley. “When we see confusion and stumbles during debates, it’s only natural to be concerned about our chances in such a critical election.” The sentiment was echoed by Sen. Whitehouse, who noted that these issues need to be addressed candidly within the party. 'It's getting to the point where we might need a GPS to navigate these debates,' he joked.

Rep. Doggett drew a historical parallel to underscore his point, likening Biden’s situation to that of former President Lyndon Johnson. Johnson, facing significant opposition and discontent, chose not to seek re-election in 1968. “President Johnson’s decision was made under different circumstances,” Doggett said, “but it was the right thing for the country at the time. We need to have the courage to consider a similar move if it benefits the nation. After all, even my grandma knows it’s time to pass the torch when your cake can’t hold all the candles.”

Despite the chorus of concerns, President Biden’s campaign remains resolute. In a brief statement, the campaign dismissed the notion of withdrawal, reaffirming Biden's commitment to running in the 2024 election. “President Biden is dedicated to continuing the work for the American people and will remain in the race,” the statement read. It seems that the only exit Biden plans to make is from a conversation he doesn't want to have.

As the Democratic party grapples with internal discontent and the looming shadow of a Trump comeback, Doggett’s bold call for Biden’s withdrawal adds a new layer of drama to an already tumultuous campaign season. Whether his plea will catalyze a broader movement within the party remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the winds of change may be gaining strength, unpredictably ruffling the political landscape as the 2024 race heats up.