Sen. Merkley says Biden’s debate performance raises ‘significant issues’

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) — Add Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley to the growing list of Democrats concerned about President Joe Biden’s re-election bid after his performance against Republican opponent Donald Trump was widely criticized last month.

Merkley talked with KOIN 6 News Political Director Ken Boddie on Wednesday morning ahead of a special Eye on Northwest Politics airing this Sunday.

In the conversation, Merkley stopped short of outright calling on Biden to step aside. However, he did seem to indicate he’s open to the idea of Democrats choosing another nominee.

Merkley said in part that Biden’s debate performance raised “significant issues” and those concerns merit serious consideration.

”I do believe that right now, the presidential train, campaign train, is headed for a bridge,” Merkley said. “And that bridge is in disrepair. And that’s a problem. So either the bridge has to be fixed, or the train has to be brought to a halt.”

KOIN 6 also reached out to Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). He said he’s advising the president to do more “unscripted” town halls, with voters looking him in the eye to show them he’s a “real person.”

“President Biden said he had a bad night,” Wyden added in a statement. “But I’m proud of the results that Democrats and I have delivered with him the last four years here in Oregon and nationwide. Voters in our state and America fired Donald Trump with cause in 2020. And they’re not going to rehire him in 2024.”

Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) also released a statement Wednesday afternoon, saying in part he believes Biden “should not be the Democratic presidential nominee.”

Blumenauer lauded Biden for his accomplishments, calling him “the most successful president in the last 50 years” for navigating everything from helping the country recover from COVID, to combating the climate crisis and rebuilding the economy. However, he also said the question before the country is “not just about extending his presidency but protecting democracy.”

“While this is a decision for the president and the first lady, I hope they will come to the conclusion that I and others have: President Biden should not be the Democratic presidential nominee,” Blumenauer said. “It is a painful and difficult conclusion but there is no question in my mind that we will all be better served if the president steps aside as the Democratic nominee and manages a transition under his terms. He has earned that right.”

Meanwhile, Senate Democrats have scheduled a lunch meeting with senior Biden advisors on Thursday. After that, Biden has scheduled a press conference which will be closely watched amid concerns about his age and mental acuity.

Watch the full interview with Merkley on Eye on Northwest Politics this Sunday at 6 p.m. on KOIN 6 and at 4:30 p.m. on Portland’s CW.

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