Biden campaign reaching out to lawmakers over concerns about staying on ticket
With tensions brewing on Capitol Hill, the Biden-Harris campaign has ramped up its engagement with lawmakers in response to mounting calls for President Biden to step down from the ticket. In a strategic move, Mr. Biden himself has personally reached out to congressional members, making 20 calls since the fiery presidential debate in Atlanta last month, with more calls on the horizon, as confirmed by a campaign official to CBS News.
Just last week, the White House disclosed that President Biden conversed with key allies, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, and Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware. Notably, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders also revealed on Face The Nation Sunday that he had recently engaged in a conversation with the president.
A leaked memo obtained by CBS News sheds light on the numerous appearances made by Mr. Biden since the debate in crucial “blue wall states,” with recent campaign events held in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania over the weekend. On Sunday, the President addressed a Philadelphia church, visited a field office with Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania to bolster volunteer efforts, and made a stop at a coffee shop in Harrisburg alongside Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.
Before departing from the Keystone State aboard Air Force One, Biden confidently reassured reporters, “I’m up to the job.” The memo also outlines the president’s packed schedule for the upcoming week, including participation in the NATO summit, a meeting with union leaders at the AFL-CIO on Wednesday, and a campaign event scheduled in Detroit on Friday. Additionally, it references a recent Bloomberg/Morning Consult poll that demonstrates Mr. Biden closing the gap to 45%-47% against former President Donald Trump in seven critical battleground states. Furthermore, the memo boasts of unwavering support from surrogates and grassroots donors, highlighting June as the campaign’s “best” fundraising month with a staggering $127 million raised.
In light of concerns raised post the recent debate performance, the campaign held a leadership call with ranking members from various House committees on Sunday afternoon. Multiple senior House Democrats have expressed the view that the President should terminate his re-election bid, with at least five House Democrats openly calling for his withdrawal as the party nominee. It has been reported that Virginia Senator Mark Warner cancelled a planned meeting with a group of Senate Democrats to discuss the president’s campaign, signaling the intensity of ongoing deliberations. House and Senate Democrats are expected to convene separate meetings on Tuesday, likely delving into the embattled state of Mr. Biden’s presidential campaign.
Amidst the political turbulence, a cautious sentiment prevails, with one House Democrat sharing, “I’ve got a wait and see position to see how things go. I think most people just want to continue to see how the president does.” The unfolding dynamics of the situation highlight a critical juncture in the Biden-Harris campaign, underscoring the challenges and uncertainties that lie ahead.
