Democratic donor says party needs to 'grow a backbone' by publicly voicing concerns about Biden

Democratic donor Maggie Kulyk said Friday that her party needs to “grow a backbone” by publicly voicing concerns about President Joe Biden.

Biden had a consequence press conference Thursday evening in an attempt to quell concerns about his age and mental acuity since his lack of performance at the June 27 debate. A growing number of Democrats have continued to call for the president's withdrawal from the race despite it being an improvement over his debate performance.

“I think it takes courage to come out publicly, and unfortunately all of Washington lacks courage,” Kulyk told CNN anchor Sara Sidner. “I mean, frankly.”

Democratic donor says party needs to 'grow a backbone' by publicly voicing concerns about Biden pic.twitter.com/87mFllmqsX

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) July 12, 2024

The donor said she has written to Democratic lawmakers asking them to publicly state their honest opinions about Biden's re-election bid, adding that many of her friends and acquaintances believe the press conference did not “move the counter”.

“Unfortunately, I don't think Joe Biden can do that,” he continued. “And that's what worries me very, very much. So whoever comes out publicly or doesn't come out publicly, at this stage of the game, it's a little too late. We have to move forward and I think people, as I say in a article, he needs to grow a spine and say what he really believes.”

He praised a New York Times op-ed written by Democratic strategist James Carville asking leading Democrats to hold town halls to prepare Vice President Kamala Harris for the nomination. Kulyk argued that Carville's idea would “unite the party” and lead to electoral victories.

At least 16 delegates Democrats have he called to Biden to end his candidacy after the debate, including Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton and Vermont Sen. Peter Welch. Prominent figures on the left such as Hollywood actor George Clooney have argued that the president should do so step down.

Polls have found Trump leading the president since the debate in the highly competitive race. Trump leads 42% to 40% nationally as of Friday, seconds at FiveThirtyEight.

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