President Joe Biden stood firm on Monday against calls for him to drop his re-election candidacy, urging Democrats to end the internal drama that has plagued the party since his disappointing debate performance last month. As key lawmakers expressed support for him to remain in the 2024 presidential race, Biden sent an open letter to congressional Democrats, aiming to quell their skepticism about his ability to lead the country for another four years. He emphasized that the party has “one job,” which is to defeat presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in November.
Biden’s coordinated effort to shore up Democratic support appeared to be gaining traction, though he had not completely silenced his doubters. By late Monday, a surge of public support from Democrats emerged, or at least a tempering of criticism, as Biden’s allies tried to overpower the voices calling for him to step aside.
In his two-page letter, Biden wrote, “The question of how to move forward has been well-aired for over a week now. And it’s time for it to end.” He added, “We have 42 days to the Democratic Convention and 119 days to the general election. Any weakening of resolve or lack of clarity about the task ahead only helps Trump and hurts us. It’s time to come together, move forward as a unified party, and defeat Donald Trump.”
Biden followed up the letter with a phone interview on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” where he insisted that “average Democrats” want him to stay in the race. He expressed frustration over calls from party officials for him to step aside, saying, “They’re big names, but I don’t care what those big names think.” He challenged his critics to “announce for president, challenge me at the convention” or rally behind him against Trump.
Later, Biden joined a call with members of his national finance committee, while First Lady Jill Biden campaigned for her husband in a three-state swing focused on engaging veterans and military families. “For all the talk out there about this race, Joe has made it clear that he’s all in,” she told a military crowd in Wilmington, N.C. “That’s the decision that he’s made, and just as he has always supported my career, I am all in, too.”
On Capitol Hill, more prominent voices lined up behind Biden, including Rep. Pramila Jayapal, chair of the House’s Congressional Progressive Caucus, who said the threat of a second Trump presidency remains too high. However, Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, one of the most endangered Democrats this election cycle, stated, “President Biden has got to prove to the American people — including me — that he’s up to the job for another four years.”
Biden’s letter left some House Democrats furious, particularly those who wanted to hear directly from him. Lawmakers bristled at being cast as out of touch with voters, especially since representatives have been home in their districts listening to constituents. Biden met virtually with the Congressional Black Caucus, one of his staunchest blocs of supporters in Congress, for 30 minutes. He discussed his policy proposals for a second term, expressed gratitude for their support, and repeatedly criticized Trump.
Biden is also expected to meet this week with members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said Jayapal. Meanwhile, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that Biden had undergone three neurological exams while in the White House as part of his annual physical exams and had not been diagnosed with or treated for Parkinson’s.
The drama is unfolding with just over a month until the Democratic National Convention and a week before Republicans gather in Milwaukee to renominate Trump. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, a Democrat from Massachusetts, expressed worry that Democrats were losing focus on defeating Trump. “We’re losing the plot here,” she said.
Another prominent voice in the Congressional Black Caucus, Rep. Maxine Waters of California, said those opposing Biden “can speak for themselves or what they want to do, but I know what I’m doing because I’m a big Biden supporter.” Rep. Frank Pallone of New Jersey, the top Democrat on the Energy and Commerce Committee, added, “I’m tired of all this speculation. I just want to concentrate on the fact that we have to defeat Trump.”
Trump, for his part, predicted that Biden would remain in the race. “It looks to me like he may very well stay in,” he told Fox News Channel’s Sean Hannity on Monday. “He’s got an ego and he doesn’t want to quit. He doesn’t want to do that.”
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, who has publicly stood by Biden, said “same answer” when asked if he supported Biden. Other House Democrats almost ran from questions, with Rep. Debbie Dingell of Michigan and a group of House Democrats, including Reps. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia and Lauren Underwood of Illinois, declining to answer questions as they ducked into an elevator.
Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, went public with his call for Biden to step aside, saying it would be “a mistake” if Biden continues his campaign. “I’m calling on President Biden to step down,” Smith said on social media.
Biden’s allies said they expected more direct engagement from the president with lawmakers as he scrambles to shore up his candidacy. On a call with his campaign co-chairs, Biden repeatedly asked who else needed to hear from him and who still had unanswered questions or concerns, according to Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware. “He is out there doing his job as a candidate and doing his job as president,” Coons said.
Senators returning to Washington were generally reluctant to criticize Biden, with many waiting for the Democratic caucus meeting to hear concerns. It was still unclear if any Senate Democrats would publicly call for Biden to go, even as many have expressed deep concerns in private conversations.
“He ran an excellent campaign, and he’s been an excellent president,” said Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet. “And I think what everybody is trying to satisfy is that’s the same trajectory and path that we’re on today.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer would not answer questions about Biden’s re-election but told reporters, “As I’ve said before, I’m for Joe.”
Source: ABC News, CNN
