Talk show host Bill Maher added his name to the list of those calling for President Joe Biden to drop out of the 2024 race.
The president set off age-related alarm bells Thursday night in his first debate against Donald Trump, and on Monday the New York Times published a column by the "Real Time" host urging the 81-year-old Biden to drop out to allow a stronger candidate to take on Trump in November's election.
"Let’s move the plotline forward," Maher wrote. "Democrats could not buy, with all of George Soros’s money, the enthusiasm, engagement and interest they would get from having an open convention — and in Chicago no less, famous for Democratic convention drama."
"Suddenly, instead of rehashing the debate from hell — worst episode of 'The Golden Bachelor' ever — they would be hosting a competition, something Americans love," he continued. "Who will get the rose this August in Chicago? Gavin or Gretchen? Suddenly, Stacey Abrams might say she’s in! And so might Tim Ryan, and Josh Shapiro! And Amy Klobuchar and Ruben Gallego! And Mayor Pete and Raphael Warnock! And Wes Moore, and who knows, maybe Andrew Yang says he’s a Democrat again! And that dude from Kentucky, I hear he’s great!"
"This may sound like I’m doing a bit here," Maher added, "but I’m deadly serious that this would be good for the Democrats, and give them a better chance of winning."
Maher said his preferred candidate would be California Gov. Gavin Newsom, but he said any "fresh face" with a "D" beside their name would be an improvement.
"The electorate in this country is not particularly fond of studying up on the issues — a lot of the disappointment they feel in Mr. Biden stems from the fact that they just don’t have the facts," Maher wrote. "But what Americans are big on is: Screw it, let’s give that new thing a try … how much worse could it be?"
