Former Dem Rep rips Biden for avoiding 'hostile environment', not taking 'cognitive test' after debate

Former Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio criticized President Joe Biden for refusing to take several steps he said could ease concerns about his age in the wake of a June 27 debate with former President Donald Trump.

Biden has resisted calls to step aside after a poor performance on CNN debate with former President Donald Trump during which Biden it froze at least twice, he lost his train of thought and made multiple verbal gaffes. Ryan who fell under the fire of Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania to talk about Biden, said he was trying to “tell the truth” about concerns about Biden's mental capacity.

“I have every right to say what I want and if I have a slightly bigger microphone than most citizens, you can bet I'm going to use it and if it makes you a little uncomfortable, that's not my problem.” Ryan told Fox News host Neil Cavuto. “Look, I like John Fetterman. He ran a good race. I ran a good race. He came out on top. I didn't. But I still have a voice, and what we need in this democracy are citizens who are not afraid of talk if they can make someone uncomfortable. And chances are if you make people really uncomfortable, you might be speaking to some truth that's out there.”

I WILL SEE:

Former Democratic Rep Blasts Biden For Avoiding 'Hostile Environments' And Not Taking 'Cognitive Test' After Debate pic.twitter.com/j9CUyWow

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) July 8, 2024

“And I'm not going to bury my head in the sand and pretend I didn't see what I saw Thursday night,” Ryan continued. “And I think we've got to take another direction here so we can win this race, and you can call me all the names you want and try to make fun of me all you want. I'm not getting carried away. I'm just trying to tell the truth, which is a very powerful thing. And that's why many Democrats are very, very worried.”

Biden has faced off calls drop out of the presidential race since the debate, with Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas becoming the first elected Democrat to issue a public statement calling for Biden's withdrawal, with at least eight House Democrats following suit axes and the New York Daily News.

“They need a voice and someone to speak. And to tell someone not to speak, to shut up because they might say something you don't agree with, like, take a cognitive test. Like, hold town halls. Go do a Fox town hall like I did when I ran for the U.S. Senate. Go into a hostile environment and make your points and make your case and prove it to the people,” Ryan said.

“You can't read off a teleprompter, you can't read cards from a phone interview you're doing and expect everyone to line up, and this latest story coming out of the doctor who goes and doesn't answer that question.” Ryan continued, referring to a fiery press conference at the White House on Monday afternoon that featured several reporters pressed White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reports that a neurologist who specializes in Parkinson's disease visited a White House physician.

Ryan also called out Democrats who criticized those who raised concerns about Biden.

“So what do you want us to do?” Ryan asked rhetorically. “Like, we're seeing this with our own eyes, and you're mad at us, and this is ridiculous and so, anyway, that's all I have to say about it.”

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