House Democrats hold private meeting to discuss Biden
House Democrats faced a contentious internal split over the retention of Joe Biden as the party’s presidential nominee, leading to an unusual tactic of maintaining silence during their weekly meeting on Tuesday. The majority of Democrats refrained from making any comments or simply expressed that the meeting had gone well, avoiding providing ammunition for the narrative suggesting discord within their ranks.
This silence from the typically outspoken Democrats, who are not known for strict adherence to party messaging, highlights the deep division within the caucus on the path forward. A source familiar with the meeting characterized the atmosphere afterward as “sad and frustrated.”
The lack of a consensus indicates that Biden is edging closer to quelling the rebellion that erupted after his lackluster debate performance in June. It would be challenging for party leaders to pivot against Biden without widespread agreement among party members.
However, those opposed to Biden, while publicly few in number, believe it is premature to declare the issue settled. Representative Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) added her voice to the anti-Biden contingent by suggesting that Biden should step back from the race to allow the party to select a new nominee.
Sherrill articulated her reasons, citing concerns about the future under another Trump administration and the recent Supreme Court ruling that empowered the president significantly. She emphasized the urgency of the situation, urging action to safeguard democracy.
As Congress prepares to adjourn for a week and Biden challenges congressional Democrats to challenge his nomination, the window for altering his candidacy, even with consensus, is rapidly closing.
Representative Juan Vargas (D-Calif.) reaffirmed his support for Biden but expressed exasperation that endorsing Biden remained a contentious issue. Vargas criticized the internal debate, describing it as counterproductive and misplaced.
Despite the disagreements, Vargas noted that the discussion remained respectful. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), who had been an early advocate for replacing Biden, similarly characterized the dialogue as respectful while acknowledging differing viewpoints.
Doggett maintained his position that a stronger candidate would be more beneficial for the party’s prospects. Representative Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), initially viewed as a skeptic of Biden’s viability against Trump, sought to emphasize unity and focused on achieving Democratic success.
Reflecting on the meeting, Raskin underscored the Democrats’ unified front and their shared goal of securing victories across the board. Representative Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), who had previously implied Biden should step aside, conceded on Tuesday that supporting Biden was imperative to prevent Trump from undermining democracy.
Nadler recognized Biden as the party’s nominee, emphasizing the necessity of rallying behind him due to his significant impact as a leader and the threat posed by Trump to democratic institutions.
Amidst the internal turmoil and conflicting opinions within the Democratic Party, the debate over Joe Biden’s candidacy continues to unfold, underscoring the complexities and challenges faced by the party as they strive for cohesion and a viable path forward.
