'Pass the torch': Top Democrat presses Biden to withdraw from presidential race

US President and Democrat presidential candidate Joe Biden faced a new setback Wednesday as prominent Democrat Adam Schiff urged him to abandon his reelection bid amidst backlash over plans for a virtual nomination before the party conference. Schiff's call came as Biden prepared to address Latino voters in Nevada.
California Representative Adam Schiff called on Biden to "pass the torch," marking him as one of the highest-profile Democrats to push for Biden's withdrawal.Schiff is also the first prominent Democrat to do so since the assassination attempt on Republican rival Donald Trump.
Schiff, a key powerbroker in Congress and a pivotal White House ally, voiced his concerns shortly before Biden's Nevada speech. Schiff, who is set to pursue a Senate seat this November, gained nationwide prominence as the lead prosecutor during Trump's first impeachment trial.
"A second Trump presidency will undermine the very foundation of our democracy, and I have serious concerns about whether the President can defeat Donald Trump in November," Schiff said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times.
The calls from Democrats for Biden to step aside had momentarily ceased due to the assassination attempt on Trump but have now resumed with increasing intensity.
Around 20 House Democrats and one senator have urged Biden to exit the White House race. Biden, however, remains adamant, believing he is the best candidate to defeat Trump.
Most polls indicate Biden trailing Trump in a tight race, with Trump gaining ground in key swing states. The debate performance and the assassination attempt have not significantly shifted poll standings.
Biden defended his mental acuity in an NBC interview on Monday, stating it was "pretty damn good." This interview was one of several unscripted public appearances aimed at demonstrating his capability. Biden attributed his debate performance to illness and jetlag, and his campaign emphasised that his recent verbal missteps are ordinary for someone with a long political career marked by gaffes.
In light of the mounting pressure, Democrats announced plans for a virtual nomination for Biden in early August, preceding the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on August 19.
Some party members criticised the virtual nomination plan, accusing the party of attempting to force through Biden's candidacy without fully discussing alternatives. Should Biden withdraw, Vice President Kamala Harris is regarded as the leading contender.
Party leaders emphasised the necessity of completing the virtual roll-call by August 7, the nomination deadline set by Ohio, where Trump's new running mate J D Vance is based.
Although Ohio's governor has extended the deadline for Biden, the DNC expressed concerns about potential legal issues. The DNC's rules committee stated in a letter to lawmakers, obtained by AFP, that no virtual voting would occur before August 1, aiming for a final decision next week.
"None of this will be rushed," it said. "No matter what may be reported, our goal is not to fast-track."
Several lawmakers plan to sign a letter opposing the virtual nomination plan, and various others have voiced criticism, as reported by US media.