Democrats in Washington are split on whether President Biden can remain at the top of the party’s ticket in November.
Chris Kleponis/AFP via Getty Images
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Chris Kleponis/AFP via Getty Images
Democrats returned to Capitol Hill Monday still deeply divided over President Biden and his future within the party. Many Democrats are publicly and privately struggling with serious questions about Biden’s fitness for office after a string of disappointing public appearances and private meetings that raised further questions Biden’s age and ability to lead.
The responses from Democrats have ranged from clear support:
“I’m for Joe,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. told reporters in the Capitol.
To scathing calls for Biden to step aside:
“If the President continues his campaign, it would be a mistake,” wrote Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee. “He should step aside now so that we can find a new candidate that will put us in the strongest possible position to beat Donald Trump in November.”
Other lawmakers have stopped short of calling on Biden to step aside, but have voiced concern about his candidacy since his debate with former President Donald Trump.
Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., told reporters, “I have a lot of concerns and I’m not the only one.” Smith, who is also vice chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said Democrats would have a more robust conversation in their caucus meeting Tuesday.
Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., said Democrats need to have an “open discussion” about the path to winning the White House, House and Senate. Bennet said “many, many people” raised the issue of Biden’s future last week as he was campaigning in Colorado.
“I need to be able to see that [Biden] is ready to go out there and campaign day and night, vigorously and passionately in all in certainly in the battleground states and in states all across the country,” Bennet said.
So far, Biden has responded with defiance.
“I am not going anywhere,” Biden said Monday in an interview with MSNBC’s Morning Joe. “I wouldn’t be running if I didn’t absolutely believe that I’m the best candidate to defeat Donald Trump in 2024.”
Despite Biden’s insistence, Democrats in Washington view this week as a critical test of his support. Biden will meet with world leaders at the NATO summit in Washington and Democrats will be watching.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said the president has his support, but added that Biden “has to more aggressively address what’s at stake in this election and earn the support of the American people.”
Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Arizona said he’s been hearing from constituents supportive of Biden remaining in the race.
“The sentiment — and I agree with this — is Joe Biden is our nominee,” Kelly said. “Millions of people voted for Joe Biden to be on the ballot. He’s on the ballot, and I truly believe he’s going to win in November.”
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Wash., urged people to “zero in” on the contrast between Biden and Trump.
“It was one rough night,” Wyden said. “You want a lot of rough nights? You’re going to get four years of them if you elect Donald Trump.”
After a meeting with other House Democrats, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters, “I made clear publicly the day after the debate that I support President Joe Biden and the Democratic ticket. My position has not changed.”
This comes a day after four more Democratspublicly called for Biden to step aside.Members of the Congressional Black Caucus are slated to speak with the president Monday evening.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., said Biden has “been the best president of my lifetime, so we have his back.”