'Time is running out': Wyden and Merkley's support for Biden campaign waning

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — U.S. Democratic Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, both representing Oregon, are signaling that their support for President Joe Biden staying in the campaign against Donald Trump is waning.

This is in light of a new Emerson College poll released this week showing Trump is leading Biden nationally and in seven swing states. Wyden previously voiced support for Biden staying in the race. Wyden said on July 10 that the incumbent Democratic nominee had a "bad night" when it comes to the perceived poor debate performance against Trump last month that initially unleashed calls among some Democrats and celebrities for Biden to drop out.

However, following the assassination attempt on Trump this past weekend, Biden getting COVID this week and the new poll, Wyden has seemingly softened on the possibility of Biden stepping down, as previously reported by KVAL-TV in Eugene and Willamette Week. In a statement to KOIN 6 News, Wyden said defeating Trump should be the "top priority" but that it was ultimately still Biden's choice to remain in the race or not.

“The top priority has got to be defeating Donald Trump. President Biden has access to resources like polling, and my hope is he’ll listen to people who are experts in that resource so we can make sure we achieve that top priority," Wyden said. "This is the president’s choice, and he should make sure we do anything and everything to defeat Donald Trump.”

Earlier this month, Merkley used an elaborate metaphor involving a train crossing a broken bridge to seemingly signal he would be open to Biden stepping aside for another Democratic nominee to take his place after the debate performance raised "significant issues." But in a statement to KOIN 6 News on Friday, Merkley made those concerns much more explicit, saying Biden should "step down" if he fails to "quickly demonstrate his ability to lead the ticket." Like Wyden, Merkley said the choice of Biden stepping aside or not ultimately rests with him.

“No president in my lifetime has done more than Joe Biden. He’s achieved historic successes in investing in manufacturing, green energy, and infrastructure, improving our security, and repairing relationships around the world," Merkley said. “We are now, however, looking to the future and an election that is less than four months away. The question of whether Biden will be the Democratic nominee rests in Biden’s hands, but serious concerns have been raised that merit serious consideration. Time is running out. He either has to quickly demonstrate his ability to lead the ticket by engaging with voters in unscripted settings and laying out a powerful agenda. Or, he needs to step down and facilitate a transition to sustain the values and programs he’s championed.”

This comes after U.S. Democratic Representative Earl Blumenauer became the first member of Oregon's congressional delegation to straight-up call for Biden to step aside last week. While he lauded Biden's performance as president, Blumenauer said it's necessary for him to make the "painful and difficult" decision to "not be the Democratic presidential nominee."

The Emerson College poll showed support for Trump from voters has essentially stayed the same since the assassination attempt while support for Biden has dipped by two points.