Former Hawaii governors call for Biden to withdraw from 2024 presidential race

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Weeks after President Biden and former President Trump faced off in their first debate of the election season, more Democrats are calling on Biden to leave the race including three former Governors of Hawaii.

Democrats are questioning President Biden’s mental and physical stamina to lead the country for a second term following the first 2024 Presidential Debate. Democratic officials and organizations like Common Cause Hawaii, a nonprofit working to expand voting rights, have varying opinions on the matter.

“Getting lost in your thought, trailing off in your thought, that is something very common that has come to be expected of him,” stated Camron Hurt, Common Cause Hawaii Program Manager. “Why is this our candidate then? Is this the best that our democracy can produce?”

Governor Josh Green worked closely with the President during the Maui Wildfires back in August 2023. His outspoken support for President Biden is a much different opinion than his predecessors.

“It only took six hours for the President to approve our major disaster declaration,” said Governor Green. “Having that kind of open line of communication to President Biden and his team makes a difference. I’m appreciative of him as a friend.”

A letter asking for the withdrawal of President Biden by former Governors Neil Abercrombie, Ben Cayetano and John Waihee reads, “We witnessed and listened to a frail and seemingly muddled President Biden agonizingly take us to the brink of electoral wipeout.”

Read the full letter titled, ‘Doing the Right Thing,’ below:

According to the Democratic Party Chair, Derek Turbin, the President is unlike his poor performance during the Debate.

“Governor Green and I have had much more contact with the Biden campaign and, in fact, President Biden than these former governors,” said Turbin. “He was able to see a sharp, concise President Biden– a much different person than what I think a lot of people saw in the debate.”

Turbin added the opinion polls for Biden are much higher than people realize, especially after Biden beat Trump in crucial swing states, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Suppose President Biden were to step down before the convention. In that case, party leaders say another candidate would be reassigned during an open convention – Vice President Kamala Harris being the most ideal successor, according to Turbin.

“That would look like top leaders of the Democratic Party vying it out for a position on that ticket,” stated Hurt. “Democrats are strongly favoring wanting to put the Vice President, Kamala Harris, at the top of the ticket. Anybody else would make the situation that’s already a bit messy, more messy.”