In a surprising move, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, a Democrat from Austin, Texas, has called on President Joe Biden to withdraw as the party's nominee for the White House. Doggett cited Biden's poor performance during a recent debate against former President Donald Trump as the reason behind his call for withdrawal.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Doggett expressed his disappointment in Biden's debate performance and highlighted the president's trailing position in polls compared to Democratic senators in key states. Doggett stated, "I had hoped that the debate would provide some momentum to change that. It did not. Instead of reassuring voters, the President failed to effectively defend his many accomplishments and expose Trump's many lies."

While Doggett is the first Democratic member of Congress to call for Biden to step down, U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips from Minnesota, who ran against Biden in the Democratic primaries, has maintained silence on the matter since the debate.

Biden's lackluster performance in the debate has raised concerns among Texas Democrats, who are currently facing several competitive races. However, the majority of Democrats have not echoed Doggett's call for withdrawal, with many either supporting the president or remaining neutral.

U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, a Democrat from Houston, responded to Doggett's statement by emphasizing the choice between Biden's vision for America's future and Trump's divisive approach. Fletcher stated, "President Biden's vision moves America forward for all of the American people, while President Trump's vision reverses our progress, denies our freedom, and divides our country."

Although Biden was not expected to win the predominantly Republican state of Texas, his performance in the debate could impact down-ticket races if disenchanted Democrats choose to stay home on Election Day. Democrats are hoping to unseat Republican incumbents like Sen. Ted Cruz, as well as secure victories in other key districts in South Texas.

Doggett, who represents a reliably Democratic seat based in Austin, expressed gratitude for Biden's service and acknowledged his significant achievements as president. However, he believes that Biden is not the strongest candidate to challenge Trump in the next election, emphasizing the urgency among Democrats to prevent any further damage to the country's democracy. Doggett concluded, "While much of his work has been transformational, he pledged to be transitional. President Biden should do the same."

If Biden were to withdraw, the Democratic Party would have to select a new candidate at the national convention in Chicago in August. Doggett's reference to the 1968 Democratic National Convention, which was marred by chaos after President Lyndon Johnson's withdrawal, serves as a reminder of the potential challenges in the event of a candidate change.

Despite the calls for withdrawal, Biden has remained steadfast in his belief that he is the best candidate to defeat Trump. He and his surrogates have been actively engaging with donors and Democratic officials to maintain confidence in his campaign. In a rally speech in North Carolina, Biden acknowledged his shortcomings but reassured voters, saying, "I know how to tell the truth."

While several Democrats have been speculated as potential successors, including Vice President Kamala Harris and various governors, none have officially declared their candidacy.

The 2024 elections are shaping up to be a critical turning point for the Democratic Party, and the calls for Biden's withdrawal add another layer of uncertainty to the race. As the election date approaches, Democrats will need to navigate these challenges and unite behind a candidate who can effectively challenge Trump's influence on American politics.