Several top House Democrats are urging President Joe Biden to step aside from the 2024 campaign, expressing concerns about his potential impact on the Democratic Party’s chances in the upcoming elections. The sentiments were revealed during a leadership call organized by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, aimed at gauging the opinions of ranking members and leaders before the return of members to Washington this week.
Sources familiar with the call indicated that the discussion was dominated by apprehensions regarding the potential damage President Joe Biden’s candidacy could inflict on the Democratic ticket and the party’s prospects of reclaiming the House majority. Jeffries did not disclose his own stance on whether President Joe Biden should continue running for re-election, leaving the issue open for debate among the participants.
The call saw a notable division among House Democrats, with a greater number of lawmakers advocating for President Joe Biden to step aside than those who voiced support for his candidacy. Notable figures among those opposing President Joe Biden included Representatives Mark Takano, Adam Smith, Jim Himes, Joe Morelle, Jerry Nadler, and Susan Wild. Conversely, Representatives Maxine Waters and Bobby Scott were reported to have spoken in favor of President Joe Biden, underscoring the internal divisions within the party leadership.
One of the primary concerns raised during the nearly two-hour call was the perceived risk of losing the opportunity to secure a House majority if President Joe Biden were to remain the Democratic nominee. Several participants expressed a preference for Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the ticket, viewing her as a potentially stronger candidate.
“It was pretty brutal,” remarked a senior Democratic aide anonymously to CNN, describing the intensity of the discussions that unfolded during the private call among House leaders. The aide indicated that no immediate decisions regarding formal demands or actions, such as a White House meeting or a letter to President Joe Biden, were expected before the full Democratic caucus convenes on Tuesday. Jeffries reportedly emphasized that members would be allowed to voice their opinions freely and make their own judgments on the matter.
Another senior House Democrat revealed that sentiment within the caucus overwhelmingly supports President Joe Biden stepping aside. The member emphasized that while there is respect for President Joe Biden’s lengthy career in public service, there is a growing consensus that the party needs to strategize effectively to move forward.
Tuesday’s scheduled caucus meeting was anticipated to be a pivotal moment for President Joe Biden, according to sources within the Democratic Party. Many Democrats dissatisfied with President Joe Biden’s recent debate performance are awaiting Jeffries’ public stance on the matter. Thus far, Jeffries has maintained a cautious approach, refraining from publicly endorsing any particular course of action as he continues to assess the sentiments within his caucus.
President Joe Biden, meanwhile, appeared confident during a visit to battleground Pennsylvania, affirming his belief in the Democratic Party’s unified support behind him. When questioned by the press, President Joe Biden unequivocally asserted that the party continues to stand behind him.
