Rep. Lloyd Doggett becomes first Democratic lawmaker to call on Biden to drop out after debate

Washington — Rep. Lloyd Doggett became the first Democratic lawmaker to call on President Biden to drop out of the presidential race in the wake of his debate performance last week, with Doggett saying on Tuesday that he is "hopeful that he will make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw."

"While much of his work has been transformational, he pledged to be transitional," the Texas Democrat said in a statement. "He has the opportunity to encourage a new generation of leaders from whom a nominee can be chosen to unite our country through an open, democratic process."

The Biden campaign has made clear that the president will not drop out of the race. And a campaign spokesperson reiterated to CBS News after Doggett's statement that the president will "absolutely not" step aside.