Bret Stephens, a "never-Trump" columnist for The New York Times, wrote Tuesday that President Biden should not seek reelection in 2024 after supporting him in the 2020 election.
Stephens' piece, entitled "Biden Should Not Run Again — and He Should Say He Won't," argued Biden's "uneven" cognitive state should be discussed before the next presidential election.
The Times columnist also mentioned the currently "listless" Democratic Party, suggesting an early announcement could prepare the strength of the field member.
"Is it a good idea for Joe Biden to run for reelection in 2024? And, if he runs again and wins, would it be good for the United States to have a president who is 86 — the age Biden would be at the end of a second term?" Stephens wrote. "I put these questions bluntly because they need to be discussed candidly, not just whispered constantly."
Stephens pointed to Vice President Kamala Harris' shockingly poor poll numbers – worse than any modern vice president.
"So what's the president to do? He should announce, much sooner than later, that he will not run for a second term," he wrote. "Right now he's worse than a lame duck, because potential Democratic successors are prevented from making calls, finding their lanes and appealing for attention."
Stephens appealed to the president's regard for his legacy, saying it would appear statesmanlike for the president to announce sooner than later.
"It would put an end to the endless media speculation," Stephens concluded. "It would let him devote himself wholly to addressing the country's immediate problems without worrying about reelection."
via newsmax