Senate Democrats support Joe Biden
Senate Democrats gathered for a crucial meeting following President Joe Biden’s lackluster debate performance last month, facing uncertainty about whether he remains the best candidate to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming election. The meeting revealed a lack of consensus among Democrats on the issue, with many Senators hesitating to express full faith in Biden’s ability to secure victory.
While most Democrats refrained from openly discussing their reservations about Biden, some Senators admitted that there is still room for deliberation on the matter. Senator Peter Welch from Vermont hinted at internal discussions within the party, stating, “We got a ways to go,” but declined to provide further details.
The top Senate Democrats, including Chuck Schumer and Dick Durbin, have continued to voice support for Biden. However, doubts linger among some Senators about his candidacy, particularly those facing challenging reelection bids in states won by Trump in the previous election.
The meeting highlighted concerns about Biden’s campaign strategy and his limited unscripted public appearances. Senators emphasized the need for Biden to present a stronger case to the American people, urging him to engage more with voters in unfiltered settings.
Amidst growing speculation, Biden is set to hold a solo press conference after the NATO summit, where he will face scrutiny over his performance and physical fitness. With a mid-July deadline looming for the Democratic nomination process to begin, Senators are under pressure to make a decision on Biden’s candidacy.
Despite the closed-door nature of the meeting, reports suggest that the question of whether Biden should drop out of the race was raised. However, Senators like Debbie Stabenow maintained that such discussions are a private matter among Democrats, refusing to provide further details to reporters.
Some Senators, like John Fetterman, staunchly defended Biden against calls for withdrawal, citing the need to focus on defeating Trump rather than internal party divisions. Frustrations within the Democratic party were evident, with some critiquing the media’s scrutiny of Biden following the debate.
Republican Senators, witnessing the internal strife among Democrats, expressed satisfaction at the disarray within their rival party. The GOP seized the opportunity to highlight the Democrats’ divisions, with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell jokingly acknowledging the media’s interest in their situation.
Biden has been actively seeking support from influential Congressional caucuses, such as the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Despite efforts to rally support, private doubts and public calls for Biden to step aside in favor of a younger nominee continue to create uncertainty within the party.
As the debate over Biden’s candidacy intensifies, moderate Democrats like Rep. Mikie Sherrill have publicly urged him not to seek reelection, signaling a growing chorus of voices from within the party calling for a change in leadership. The coming weeks will be critical for Biden to address the concerns raised by fellow Democrats and present a compelling case for his continued candidacy.
