Economist Paul Krugman urges Biden to 'do the right thing' — and end his campaign

28 June 2024

Liberal economist and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman has been an aggressive defender of Joe Biden's presidency, often praising his economic policies and stressing that the United States has enjoyed record-low unemployment during his years in the White House.

But following Biden's widely criticized performance during his Thursday night, June 27 debate with presumptive 2024 GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, Krugman is urging Biden to drop out of the race.

In a January 28 commentary published by the New York Times, Krugman writes, "Joe Biden has done an excellent job as president. In fact, I consider him the best president of my adult life. Based on his policy record, he should be an overwhelming favorite for reelection. But he isn't, and on Thursday night, he failed to rise to the occasion when it really mattered."

Krugman argues that given how dangerous a second Trump presidency would be, the Democratic Party needs a candidate who has a better shot at defeating him in November.

"I could and would complain about the lack of real-time fact-checking as Donald Trump spewed a fire hose of lies and about the general prevalence of theater criticism taking the place of policy analysis," Krugman laments. "But complaining about those things right now isn't going to save American democracy in this moment of crisis."

Krugman continues, "Given where we are, I must very reluctantly join the chorus asking Biden to voluntarily step aside, with emphasis on the 'voluntary' aspect. Maybe some Biden loyalists will consider this a betrayal, given how much I have supported his policies, but I fear that we need to recognize reality."

The liberal economist goes on to argue that Vice President Kamala Harris would be the most logical choice for the Democratic Party's 2024 presidential nomination.

"Kamala Harris was, by all accounts, an effective district attorney and attorney general, and she has also been quietly effective as vice president, promoting Biden’s policies," Krugman writes. "Choosing her as his successor would in no sense be settling for less….. Maybe some American voters aren't ready for a Black woman to be president. But I'd like to think better of us than that, and there are several excellent governors she could choose as a running mate."

Krugman adds, "In any case…. I hate to see Biden in this position. He's a good man, and I hope he'll do the right thing."

Read Paul Krugman's full New York Times commentary at this link (subscription required).

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