Following President Joe Biden’s announcement that he will not seek reelection, Montana leaders were quick to respond. Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Tester, who had recently become the second senator from Biden’s party to officially call for his withdrawal, released a brief statement on Sunday afternoon.
“I respect President Biden’s decision and believe it is the right thing to do for our country,” Tester stated. “Sharla and I thank him for his lifetime of public service and dedication to our great nation.” Tester also highlighted a Daily Montanan article where he expressed support for “an open nomination process” for the next Democratic nominee. Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. Tester had previously stated that Biden was “100 with it” and people question Biden’s mental fitness were making “bigger deal” out of it than it really is.
Republican U.S. Senator Steve Daines, chair of the nationwide GOP U.S. Senate campaign, immediately called for Biden to resign. “If Joe Biden is no longer capable of running for re-election, he is no longer capable of serving as President,” Daines said. “Being President is the hardest job in the world, and I no longer have confidence that Joe Biden can effectively execute his duties as Commander-in-Chief.”
Daines also noted, “It has also been striking that none of the Senate Democrats who served with Vice President Harris have called for her to replace President Biden. This leads me to believe they think she is unqualified to serve as Commander-in-Chief.”
Tester’s Republican challenger, Tim Sheehy, echoed Daines’ sentiments. “Montanans will never forget that Jon Tester lied to all of us when he engaged in the Left’s coverup and said Biden is 100% with it,” Sheehy said. “The truth is, Joe Biden must immediately resign as President of the United States – because if you’re not fit to even run for president, you’re not fit to serve as Commander-in-Chief for one day longer.”
The Montana Republican Party also demanded Biden’s resignation on social media. “If Joe Biden is unfit to run for re-election, he is unfit to serve as President,” they asserted.
Governor Greg Gianforte raised similar concerns in his statement. “There are a lot of questions here, and the American people deserve answers,” he said. “If Joe Biden is incapable of running for reelection and serving another term, it’s a fair question whether he can or should finish out his current term. And as Joe Biden’s vice president, Kamala Harris should come clean about why she actively hid Joe Biden’s condition from the American people.”
Republican U.S. Representatives Ryan Zinke and Matt Rosendale also commented on the announcement. Rosendale posted on social media, “I’m glad the Democrat party is coming to grips with the fact that Joe Biden CANNOT and WILL NOT serve four more years as President.” Zinke added, “President Biden’s decision to not seek reelection was the right move, albeit far too late. The Biden Presidency has been an unmitigated disaster both foreign and domestic.”
Sheila Hogan, executive director of the Montana Democratic Party, released a statement expressing gratitude for Biden’s service. “From revitalizing America’s infrastructure to bringing down the cost of health care, the President has been a champion for working people and we’re grateful for the historic accomplishments of this administration,” she said. “We respect President Biden’s decision and thank him for a lifetime of public service. Montana Democrats are committed to working hard for our candidates up and down the ballot and winning in November.”
By: Montana Newsroom Staff
