MYNORTHWEST POLITICS

WA Congressman Adam Smith: ‘Impossible’ for President Biden to win re-election

Jul 11, 2024, 12:18 PM

Washington Congressman Adam Smith, a Democrat, is ramping up his calls on President Biden to drop out of the race.

Speaking to CNN, Smith said it’s impossible for Biden to win.

“Come on, you have been a great president. You have been a great leader,” Smith said. “You stepped up and saved the country from Donald Trump in 2020. Don’t let this be your legacy that you refused to step down and got him back in the White House. Don’t do that.”

Who will be Trump’s VP pick? Washington State GOP Chairman shares insights

Biden has repeatedly said he will not step down. The president is holding a news conference Thursday at 3:30 p.m. that will be carried live on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM.

“The polls show that 80% of the American people think he shouldn’t run. You can’t overcome that,” Smith said. “You can’t. It’s an utter impossibility. You owe us to consider this.”

Smith said Biden is the “presumptive nominee” and not yet the official nominee, going on to say that if Biden is the Democratic candidate, they are headed for disaster.

“I’m hearing from Democrats back home. I can’t even count the emails, texts and phone calls that are telling me, ‘Thank God, somebody had to say something,'” Smith said, referring to his Washington constituents.

Smith was one of the first House Democrats to call on Biden to drop out.

“We have to do something about this. 80-90% of the Democrats in Congress want a different candidate, but do they want to say that publicly? That’s a different thing,” Smith explained.

Angela Poe Russell commentary: The lesson we all can learn from President Biden

Smith was raised in SeaTac and represents the 9th Congressional District. He attended Bow Lake Elementary, Chinook Middle School and Tyee High School, graduating from Tyee in 1983.

“We have a clear choice,” Smith said. “We can head towards near-certain defeat, or we can choose a different path and give ourselves a chance to be successful in November.”

Bill Kaczaraba is a content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read his stories here. Follow Bill on X, formerly known as Twitter, here and email him here

MyNorthwest Politics

Andre Sayles (2)...

James Lynch

‘My feet are here’: Interim SPD Chief Andre Sayles addresses crime, Mayor Katie Wilson, and Seattle’s path forward

Interim Seattle Police Chief Andre Sayles said he’s committed to Seattle and focused on restoring trust and safety.

2 days ago

People shop near 'Sale' signs in the meats section of a grocery store. (Photo: Mario Tama, Getty Im...

MyNorthwest Staff

New Seattle policy aims to block retailers from using personal data to set grocery prices

Mayor Katie Wilson and two city councilmembers announced a new affordability policy on Friday to eliminate price gouging, and make groceries more affordable.

2 days ago

Trump...

Luke Duecy

Gov. Ferguson invites President Trump to Spokane to witness devastation firsthand

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has invited President Donald Trump to see the fire damage and devastation in Spokane.

3 days ago

Kshama Sawant...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘I don’t like Kshama Sawant’: Gee asks ‘are we done now?’ as Sawant finishes distant third

KIRO hosts Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin were relieved to see Kshama Sawant, who served on the Seattle City Council, finish in third place.

4 days ago

katie wilson seattle primary...

Luke Duecy

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson-backed progressive candidates fall short in Washington primary races

Two progressive candidates endorsed by Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson were defeated Tuesday in Washington's primary election.

4 days ago

mckinney duresky Congressional District 4...

Frank Sumrall

Trump-endorsed McKinney, Democrat Duresky advance in WA-4 primary to replace Newhouse

Republican Amanda McKinney and Democrat John Duresky are set to advance to the November general election for the recently vacated Washington Congressional District 4 seat.

5 days ago

WA Congressman Adam Smith: ‘Impossible’ for President Biden to win re-election