Several high-ranking House Democrats have privately urged House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to encourage President Joe Biden to step aside for the 2024 presidential campaign, sources familiar with the matter reported.
During a Sunday call convened by Jeffries to gauge sentiment among Democratic leaders, concern was expressed about Biden’s poor debate performance last month and its potential negative impact on the Democratic Party’s chances of regaining the House majority.
The call, which took place before lawmakers reconvene in Washington, highlighted significant apprehension over the party’s prospects with Biden as the nominee.
Jeffries did not disclose his stance on whether Biden should seek reelection, according to a source on the call.
The number of lawmakers suggesting Biden step down outnumbered those who supported his candidacy, said one of the sources.
Among the dissenters were Reps. Mark Takano, Adam Smith, Jim Himes, Joe Morelle, Jerry Nadler, and Susan Wild, according to three sources.
Public calls for Biden to withdraw have come from Reps. Lloyd Doggett, Seth Moulton, Raúl Grijalva, Angie Craig, and Mike Quigley, while Reps.
Maxine Waters and Bobby Scott voiced their support for Biden during the call, according to one source.
The nearly two-hour discussion raised concerns that maintaining Biden as the candidate might jeopardize the Democrats’ opportunity to reclaim the House majority.
It was generally acknowledged that Vice President Kamala Harris should be considered as the nominee.
“It was pretty brutal,” a senior Democratic aide told CNN, speaking anonymously about the private conversation among House leaders.
Although not on the call, members of the Congressional Black Caucus, including Rep. Joyce Beatty of Ohio and Rep. Frederica Wilson of Florida, defended Biden against calls for him to step down.
Beatty, a former CBC chair, emphasized that Democrats “shouldn’t be going rogue against our own president,” asserting that Black voters remain loyal to Biden.
“Any ‘leader’ calling for President Biden to drop out needs to get their priorities straight and stop undermining this incredible actual leader who has delivered real results for our country,” Wilson stated.
Decisions regarding demands for a White House meeting or a formal letter to Biden are not expected until the full Democratic caucus convenes on Tuesday.
Jeffries has indicated he will allow members to express their opinions and make independent decisions.
One senior House Democrat mentioned they had engaged in calls and group chats with numerous colleagues who believe Biden should step aside.
The member noted that the caucus aims to “find the best way to move forward” while still honoring Biden’s lengthy and distinguished career.
Tuesday, the day of the caucus meeting, is anticipated to be highly significant for the president, according to a senior House Democrat and another member, with one suggesting it might be the day “when the dam will break.”
Many Democrats, uneasy about Biden’s viability as a candidate following his lackluster debate performance, are awaiting Jeffries’ public stance.
Jeffries has so far refrained from expressing his personal view, preferring to listen to his caucus.
Meanwhile, Biden continued his campaign efforts in Pennsylvania, addressing a predominantly Black church in Philadelphia and visiting a local campaign office.
He later appeared in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with support from state Democrats Sen. John Fetterman, Rep. Madeleine Dean, and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis at a campaign event.
Amidst these engagements, Biden confidently affirmed his backing from the Democratic Party when asked by the press on Sunday, responding with a resounding “yes.”
