Fil-Am Dems debate replacing Biden as voter confidence wanes

NEW YORK CITY – The recent presidential debate has left many voters disillusioned with both President Joe Biden and Republican nominee Donald Trump. Biden appeared frail and incoherent, while Trump was criticized for making false statements.

This has sparked discussions within the Democratic Party about the possibility of replacing President Biden with a younger, more dynamic candidate who can effectively challenge Trump in the lead-up to the November 5 elections, especially in light of the Supreme Court’s decision granting Trump immunity from prosecution if re-elected.

Bergenfield Mayor Arvin Amatorio voiced concerns shared by many Democrats and Americans regarding President Biden’s age and cognitive abilities.

“The debate clearly showcased the stark contrast between former President Trump and President Biden,” Amatorio told INQUIRER.net USA. He noted that while Biden focused on policy discussions, Trump continued to mislead the public with untruthful statements and lacked a coherent plan for the nation.

Despite these concerns, some Democrats remain loyal to Biden. Former Hercules Mayor and Fil-Am Council Member Alex Walker-Griffin stated, “We all stumble, but President Biden stayed on course and showed the American people what he has accomplished in his four years.” 

Walker-Griffin emphasized that removing Biden as the presumptive nominee would be unwise and logistically challenging at this stage.

LA-based creative director Edwin Santiago stressed the importance of the Democratic Party being strategic to secure a victory in the upcoming election. “While finding a replacement candidate can be challenging given the short period, it must be explored because a win is necessary for the party to continue their platform,” Santiago explained. He highlighted the complexities of recalibrating campaign messaging, mobilizing resources and building name recognition for a new candidate in a short time frame.

Republican voter RJ Laxamana, a young pastor from Nyack, believes that Democrats are in a difficult position. “I believe that some Democrats are trying to stay behind President Biden as the nominee, believing he will perform well again,” Laxamana said. “On the other hand, much of the party is concerned after his debate performance and would like a new nominee like VP Harris.”

Seasoned Democrat and Fil-Am Super PAC Loida Nicolas Lewis remains a staunch supporter of Biden. “President Biden is the better antidote against the self-proclaimed King Donald, who now has absolute immunity if re-elected,” Lewis stated. She highlighted Biden’s legislative achievements, including the $2.5 trillion infrastructure law, reduced prescription medicine prices, strengthened Social Security and the restoration of the pandemic watchdog.

Rozita Lee, former White House AAPI commissioner from Las Vegas, acknowledged the uncertainty within the Democratic Party regarding their next steps. She said that a final decision has yet to be made and suggested revisiting the matter on July 9 for potential updates.

The Democratic Party faces a critical decision as they navigate the challenges posed by the recent debate and the upcoming election. The party must weigh the risks and benefits of potentially replacing Biden while ensuring a cohesive and compelling vision for voters.