Senate Democrats held a closed-door meeting on Tuesday to discuss President Joe Biden’s reelection bid. Despite concerns about Biden’s chances of winning following his poor debate performance, no senators publicly called for him to drop out of the race. Senators avoided commenting on Biden’s future as the Democratic candidate, focusing instead on defeating former President Donald Trump. There were private discussions about Biden’s candidacy, with some senators suggesting he needs to prove he can win.
Senator Chuck Schumer and others reiterated their support for Biden, with Schumer stating, “As I said before, I’m with Joe.” While some senators expressed concerns about Biden’s campaign energy, very few suggested he should step down. Senators discussed the importance of confidentiality in their discussions and the need for honest conversations within the party.
In the House, Democrats also privately met to discuss Biden’s candidacy. Some members supported Biden publicly, but few called for him to step down. Illinois Rep. Mike Quigley was one of the rare voices advocating for Biden to withdraw from the race, citing doubts about his ability to win.
Overall, Senate and House Democrats are grappling with the question of whether Biden is the best candidate to defeat Trump in the upcoming election, but there is no widespread consensus on the matter among party members. It remains to be seen how Democrats on Capitol Hill will navigate this issue leading up to the November election.
