U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Highland Park, has asked President Joe Biden to “pass the torch to a new generation of leadership,” joining U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Chicago, as the second member of the Illinois congressional delegation to do so.
Schneider issued a statement asking Biden to step out of the presidential race Thursday afternoon in Washington to preserve his legacy “as one of our greatest presidents,” and increase chances for a Democratic victory in the Nov. 5 presidential election.
“I love President Biden,” Schneider said in the statement. “I am forever grateful for his leadership and service to our nation. The time has come, however, for (him) to heroically pass the torch to a new generation to guide us to the future he has enabled and empowered us to pursue.
“It will be the capstone of an incredible career,” he added in an interview Thursday afternoon.
Representing a large portion of Lake County, Schneider is the second member of the Illinois congressional delegation to suggest Biden step aside. Quigley, who represents parts of southwest Lake County, asked Biden to drop his second-term bid on July 5.
Like Schneider, Quigley praised Biden’s presidency when he said the president should leave the race a week ago, adding it was the best way to preserve the legacy he established over a long career as a senator, vice president and president.
“Mr. President, your legacy is set. We owe you the greatest debt of gratitude. The only thing that you can do now to cement that for all time and prevent utter catastrophe is to step down and let someone else do this,” Quigley said during an interview Friday night on MSNBC’s “All In with Chris Hayes.”
U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Evanston, who represents parts of south-central Lake County, continues to back the president’s reelection bid. U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, who represents Volo and Wauconda, as well as parts of seven other counties, has not taken a public position on the issue.
Should President Biden leave the race, Schneider did not express an opinion on who should replace him on the ticket. He said in the interview Thursday unity is the key to success in November.
“I hope for a unified convention,” Schneider said in the interview. “I can think of a lot of people I would support, starting with Vice President (Kamala Harris). She’s ready to step in now. There are very effective governors in California, Illinois and a lot of other places.”
Recalling President George Washington’s decision not to seek a third term despite encouragement to do so at the time, Schneider said Washington made his decision for the good of the American people. He believes Biden can now do the same.
“In passing the torch now, President Biden has a chance to live up to this standard (of Washington) and seal his place in history as one of the greatest leaders our nation, and history, has ever known,” Schneider said in his statement.
Despite stepping aside, Schneider said in the statement Biden will still help lead the transition to a generation which will “build a stronger party and a stronger nation.” He is afraid of what will happen if former President Donald Trump is elected.
“All the Republicans have is Trump,” Schneider said in the interview. “He will have a regressive administration focused on revenge and retribution.”
As the first member of the state’s congressional delegation to endorse Biden four years ago, Schneider said in his statement he did it because he believed Biden would be a “great president.” His opinion remains unchanged.
“If the history books were to be closed today, he would unquestionably be recorded as one of our greatest presidents,” Schneider said, citing his leadership on the world stage, leading the country through the coronavirus pandemic and passing legislation which both created jobs and lowered costs of prescription drugs.
Despite Biden’s legacy, Schneider said in the statement he fears for the country’s future Trump should win in November. If what the former president has publicly suggested is done, it will damage the economy, “devastate reproductive freedom, threaten national security” and impair the world leadership established after World War II.
“We are faced with a stark choice: be resigned to slog through this election praying we can successfully defend our democracy, or enthusiastically embrace a vibrant vision for our future, building on the extraordinary foundation President Biden has created for our nation over the past four years,” Schneider said in the statement.
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