House Democrats can’t agree on Biden decision after meeting
House Democrats are still grappling with internal divisions regarding how to approach President Biden’s re-election campaign. The closed-door meeting held on Tuesday morning left lawmakers uneasy about Biden’s candidacy and mental fitness.
After the meeting at the Democratic National Committee headquarters on Capitol Hill, left-wing lawmakers refrained from sharing details with the press, citing no comments when faced with questions from reporters. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., even went as far as using an alternate exit to avoid the media.
It’s clear that Democrats face a time crunch to decide whether to mount a collective opposition against Biden or rally behind him as the official nominee. With the nominating convention scheduled for mid-August in Chicago, the pressure is mounting.
Representative Moulton acknowledged the concerns raised during the meeting and hinted at potential next steps. He suggested passing the torch to the vice president or opting for a secondary primary to demonstrate the party’s responsiveness to public concerns and eagerness for change.
The discussions were handled respectfully, as per Moulton, with all sides presenting their perspectives without disruption. Representative Brittany Pettersen affirmed the seriousness of the closed-door conversation, emphasizing the importance of debating the way forward within the party.
Rep. Lloyd Doggett, the first House Democrat to openly oppose Biden, noted the overwhelming support he received from his district, thanking constituents for backing his stance. However, not all lawmakers were as forthcoming as Doggett, with Rep. Earl Blumenaur opting not to engage with the media, deeming it unhelpful.
Rep. Greg Landsman from Ohio expressed doubts about Biden’s readiness for candidacy, stating that the president needed to work hard to convince people of his suitability for the role. Despite the differing views, Rep. Lou Correa emphasized that the meeting served as a platform for discussions rather than seeking consensus.
While the path forward remains uncertain, Pettersen hinted at a united front if Biden decides against stepping aside. She stressed the need for ongoing conversations within the party to navigate the current situation effectively.
Similarly, Rep. Mike Quigley expressed his support for Biden should he emerge as the nominee in August. Biden, on his part, has reiterated his stance on remaining in the race and emphasizing his capability to challenge former President Trump.
However, Biden’s recent underwhelming debate performance on CNN has raised doubts about his age and mental acuity, prompting concerns within the Democratic ranks. Rep. Jim Costa urged for a prompt resolution to the matter, emphasizing the need to address the issue sooner rather than later.
Despite the urgency, Rep. Jim McGovern highlighted the limited time available, noting that Congress had only resumed its session on Monday evening. With a deadline set for August, the Democrats face the challenge of uniting behind a candidate amid internal dissent.
