House Democrats are grappling with a critical decision about whether to back President Joe Biden for the upcoming presidential election.
According to the Washington Examiner, the recent debate performance and ongoing gaffes by Biden have stirred a divide among House Democrats, with some expressing strong support and others urging him to step aside.
On Tuesday, House Democrats convened at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) headquarters to discuss Biden's future as the party's nominee.
The meeting revealed a spectrum of emotions and opinions, with no clear consensus emerging. Some House Democrats left the meeting feeling somber, describing it as "like a funeral." Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) noted that the party hasn't made a unified decision, describing the conference as "not even in the same book."
Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) estimated that 90% of Democrats were in favor of supporting Biden, but the majority of attendees remained silent as they left the meeting. Some members likened the atmosphere to a "funeral," expressing a sense of sadness over the president's perceived decline. Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) acknowledged these concerns but reaffirmed his support for Biden.
Most lawmakers refrained from making detailed comments post-meeting, though some reiterated their belief that Biden should be the nominee. Notably, seven House Democrats have publicly called for Biden to withdraw, while others have voiced their concerns privately. About 30 members spoke during the meeting, but there was little back-and-forth discussion.
In an effort to solidify his standing, Biden called into a Congressional Black Caucus meeting to garner support from black lawmakers. Despite previous criticisms, many black Democrats and members of the "Squad" continue to back Biden. However, some members warned that internal divisions could potentially weaken his campaign.
Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) emphasized the importance of respecting the voters' choice over the opinions of lawmakers. Rep. Stephen Lynch expressed confidence that Democrats would ultimately support Biden if he remains committed to running. Meanwhile, Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA) cautioned that ongoing discussions about Biden's candidacy could harm Democratic campaigns.
Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) stressed the need to redirect focus toward defeating former President Donald Trump. "We do need to turn the attention back to Trump. And it’s important, I mean, there comes a time where the family conversation has to refocus on winning," he said. Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-MD) recommended wrapping up discussions about Biden's candidacy by the convention.
Biden's lackluster debate performance and months of gaffes have intensified scrutiny of his candidacy. The meeting on Tuesday was a crucial moment for Democrats to address these concerns and assess their strategy moving forward. While some Democrats fear that calls for Biden to withdraw could weaken his campaign, others believe that uniting behind him is essential.
Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-CA) urged those calling for Biden to withdraw to consider the broader implications. He argued that public statements of no confidence could further weaken the president. Rep. Lou Correa reiterated the significance of the voters' choice, stating that their decision should outweigh the opinions of lawmakers.
Rep. Stephen Lynch voiced his belief that Democrats would rally behind Biden if he decides to continue his campaign. Rep. Ami Bera emphasized the importance of unity, urging Democrats to stand behind their nominee. Rep. Jared Huffman underscored the necessity of focusing efforts on defeating Trump, highlighting the need for strategic unity.
House Democrats remain divided on whether to support President Joe Biden as the nominee for the upcoming presidential election. Biden’s recent debate performance and ongoing gaffes have sparked concerns and led to a range of opinions within the party. While some members strongly support Biden, others are calling for him to withdraw. Efforts to gain support from key Democratic groups continue, with a focus on uniting the party to defeat Trump. The outcome of these discussions will be crucial in shaping the Democratic strategy moving forward.
