Vulnerable Dem senator breaks silence on Biden's fitness, demands president prove ability
Sen Jon Tester is running in a state won twice by former President Trump
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Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., said President Biden needs to prove his ability to serve a second term in the White House, joining a group of Democratic lawmakers scrutinizing the president after a lackluster debate performance last month and a sit-down interview that failed to calm concerns.
"President Biden has got to prove to the American people – including me – that he's up to the job for another four years," Tester said in a statement Monday.
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"Meanwhile, I’ll continue to do what I’ve always done: Stand up to President Biden when he’s wrong and protect our Montana way of life," he added.
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Tester is up for re-election to the Senate in red state Montana, which was won twice by former President Trump.
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The statement from the Montana Democrat on Biden and his ability to serve another four years came more than a week after Biden's poor debate showing and several days following his ABC News interview.
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Tester's campaign previously did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital after the debate.
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In the past, the Democratic senator has sounded sure of Biden's fitness as president, saying last year he was "absolutely 100% with it."
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Tester stands a significant chance of being unseated come November, with Republican entities putting substantial resources into backing Senate candidate Tim Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL. Cook Political Report rates the race as a "Toss Up."