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The one thing the Democratic Party absolutely cannot do is surrender the presidency to Donald Trump without a proper fight. Trump can be beaten. Democrats must either go all-in on President Bidens reelection or nominate someone else, probably Vice President Harris. Whatever they do, they have to mean it.

Bidens attempt on Monday to settle the question once and for all did not work. On Wednesday, former speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), one of the partys most respected leaders, reopened the debate with some carefully chosen words on MSNBCs Morning Joe.

Its up to the president to decide if he is going to run. Were all encouraging him to make that decision, because time is running short, Pelosi said. He is beloved, he is respected, and people want him to make that decision.

Pelosi knows Biden has decided to stay in the race; she just doesnt take that as a final answer. And in a new Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll of registered voters, conducted July 5 to 9, 56 percent of Democrats surveyed said they believe Biden should pull out of the race. Anyone who argues that choosing a new candidate would divide the party should face reality: The party is already divided.

Sticking with Biden but expecting him to lose is simply not an option. The stakes are too high.

In his four years as president, Trump didnt just enact reactionary policies that took the nation backward, appoint Supreme Court justices who stripped away abortion rights, disrupt vital international alliances and generally act on grievance and whim. He went so far as to try to overturn a presidential election, inciting a violent crowd to storm the U.S. Capitol.

Trump faces state and federal felony charges for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, along with separate federal charges for allegedly absconding with sensitive classified documents. He has already been convicted of 34 state felony charges stemming from a hush money payment to an adult-film actress. His campaign speeches consist of lies, non sequiturs and incomprehensible ramblings. At 78, he, too, would be the oldest person ever elected president.

That is a description of a candidate who should be trounced in a landslide. Yet the Post poll shows Trump and Biden tied at 46 percent. And this is one of the rosiest assessments of Bidens prospects since his bad night debate performance; the RealClearPolitics average of polls has Trump ahead bythree points.

On this date in 2020, by contrast, Biden led Trump in the RCP average by nine points. Biden ended up winning the popular vote by 4.4 points.

For Democrats and for the future of our democracy these are not good numbers. Polls in the crucial swing states are even less promising.

It is impossible to ignore the debt that the Democratic Party owes to Biden. He not only came out of retirement to defeat Trump but went on to have one of the most impactful and progressive presidential terms of my lifetime. He absolutely deserves another. But can he win, when 85 percent of respondents in The Posts poll say he is too old to serve four more years?

It might not be impossible. Trump is also seen as too old, by 60 percent of voters. Bidens campaign team can argue that the presidents deficit is within the margin of error in many polls; and they have built a formidable get-out-the-vote operation. Most Americans for good reason view Trump unfavorably.

But in the Post survey, Harris leads narrowly in a hypothetical contest against Trump, 49 percent to 47 percent. And when Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents were asked who should replace Biden at the top of the ticket should he step aside, the vice president far outpaced those such as California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and even former first lady Michelle Obama.

Changing candidates would be a gamble, and there is no guarantee it would work. It is hard for me to imagine a process that ended with anyone other than Harris as the replacement. At 59, she would turn the age issue in her partys favor; and Im confident she could unite and inspire the Democratic base. Im not sure, though, how she would ultimately fare among independents and the lost tribe of anti-Trump Republicans. No one really knows what would happen.

If the smartest politicians and numbers crunchers in the Democratic Party see a way for Biden to win, they must all agree to make that happen. But if not and no one has yet shown a credible road map to victory they must all agree to make a change. A leap of faith is better than an inexorable slide into the abyss.

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Opinion | The Democrats have a lot of options. Surrender cant be one of them. - The Washington Post

President Bidens already tenuous support among House Democrats showed further signs of fraying Thursday, as the group of lawmakers most loyal to the president descended into feuding about his future.

The Congressional Black Caucus roughly 60 House Democrats who represent Bidens fiercest champions earlier this week seemed to publicly embrace the president, even before a virtual call in which he promised to have their backs in the same way Black Democrats have always had his. Private conversations suggested a statement of support from the crucial bloc was imminent after a faltering debate performance two weeks ago induced panic that the president could not beat Donald Trump in November.

But that statement never came. Following their Wednesday luncheon, many Black House Democrats started to voice private concerns about Bidens electability and the potential downstream effects on vulnerable lawmakers running in swing districts, four people familiar with the discussions said.

And there was increased finger-pointing at the White House and those in Bidens orbit who members believe are not properly guiding the president by refusing to focus on issues that would resonate in their districts and help solidify support for Biden. Some are suggesting staff changes should be made.

I think there are individuals inside the CBC who are concerned about things taking place at the White House both things that are taking place and an are not taking place but thats not a division, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II (D-Mo.) said in a brief interview. Look, the White House has got to get it together. That may be a universal CBC position, and maybe even a Democratic caucus position.

The increasing worry stemming from Bidens most important base is indicative of the volatile situation on Capitol Hill, where a growing number of Democratic lawmakers are calling on the president to abandon his reelection bid. Senior Biden campaign aides arrived on the Hill on Thursday midday to brief Democratic senators only one of whom, Peter Welch (D-Vt.) has explicitly called on Biden to step aside. Many members said they wanted to see how Biden performed in a rare news conference on Thursday evening before casting judgment.

If Biden dramatically underperforms, there is an expectation that several House Democrats will release statements calling on the president to step aside, according to four people familiar with the plans, who, like others, were granted anonymity to discuss private deliberations.

There were no big changes after the Senate lunch, in which senior Biden aides outlined their theory of the case in a memo shared with supporters pointing out a blue wall states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania and dismissing polling shifts post-debate. In addition to what we believe is a clear pathway ahead for us, there is also no indication that anyone else would outperform the president vs. Trump, the campaign wrote.

There is a resounding belief among House Democrats that was echoed in multiple wishy-washy statements this week that Biden must make a decision on his campaigns future on his own without much public pressure.

The split among House Democrats stems from how different flanks of the caucus define the historic moment as being bigger than Biden. Those with overwhelming concern about his electability privately say that Biden must recognize that preserving democracy and ensuring Trump does not win the White House is bigger than his personal ambitions.

We are faced with a stark choice: be resigned to slog through this election praying we can successfully defend our democracy, or enthusiastically embrace a vibrant vision for our future, building on the extraordinary foundation President Biden has created for our nation over the past four years. I choose the latter, said Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) said. He was the second House Democrat to come out against Biden alongside Rep. Hillary J. Scholten (D-Mich.) on Thursday.

Rather than issue public statements, some House Democrats are sending their concerns straight to Bidens orbit, according to two people familiar with the communications.

Several Black Democrats denied on Thursday that there were deep divisions within the CBC.

Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (D-N.Y.) the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus PAC and the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee has been leading a group of Black Democrats who have expressed private concerns about Bidens ability to remain at the top of the ticket. Meeks believes that Biden and his aides need to better engage CBC members and other lawmakers on what it takes to win battleground states, said two people who have spoken to CBC members this week, who, like others in this article, spoke on the condition of anonymity to share private conversations.

Chairman Meeks has never dissuaded anyone from supporting the president, said a spokesperson for the CBC PAC. In fact, he has said in public what hes said in private: President Biden has a strong record of delivering for the American people and a strong record to run on, however, after the debate the president has to demonstrate he has the energy and stamina to perform the job. The Chairman hopes he demonstrates exactly that and believes members should give the President the space to do so and make their decisions from there.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), who has publicly supported Biden and is a member of the CBC, is in a difficult spot. It would be hard for him to cross a key group in a public setting, according to multiple lawmakers and aides. Many members throughout the caucus, however, with concerns about Biden feel that the minority leader understands them.

The Houses old guard of leadership former speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.), and James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.) have subtly made public statements on the paths Biden might consider. But the current, new generation of House leaders are in a more difficult spot as they continue to listen to members with wildly varying opinions.

Jeffries and his leadership lieutenants have told members they should run their own races, with or without Biden, according to three people involved in those conversations. Pelosi has been more blunt in private conversations, those people said, telling frontliners its probably best if they come out against Biden though she counseled waiting until the NATO conference ended on Friday.

Jeffries telegraphed his plans in two separate meetings this week, according to two people familiar with them. Jeffries must balance the cheerleading for Biden among Black Democrats, many of whom hail from safe seats, with accurately representing the concerns of front-line Democrats who represent districts that are much more competitive. Whether Biden leads the ticket, and how much of a drag he will be, will also determine whether he has a shot of becoming speaker in the narrowly divided House.

In those meetings, according to multiple people familiar with them, vulnerable Democrats were incredibly tough on Biden in what was described as an emotional, candid and somber setting. Members were unequivocal that Biden would need to step aside or he could ultimately risk their reelection chances, and possibly Jeffries from becoming speaker.

Many believe they will automatically be in better political shape if Vice President Harris becomes the nominee because she would immediately eliminate the age question, besides helping Democrats get the conversation back to defeating Trump.

We have no path to take back the House if Biden stays at the top of the ticket, a senior Democratic aide said.

Other key factions besides the CBC are divided. The congressional Hispanic Caucus is so divided over how to approach Bidens electability that it also has not released a group statement. Chairwoman Nanette Barragn (D-Calif.) and deputy chair Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.) released a joint statement earlier this week in support of Biden after the group met, which irritated several members.

On something this controversial, she should have checked with members before making any statement using her CHC title, one Democratic member said.

Mariana Alfaro contributed to this report.

Excerpt from:
Black Democrats are emblematic of a House torn over Biden - The Washington Post

Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., is one of the growing number of Democrats expressing public concerns about President Biden's ability to continue running for re-election. AP Photo/John McDonnell /AP hide caption

President Biden's top campaign staff attempted to salvage support from Democratic Senators Thursday in a nearly two-hour meeting that did not appear to immediately resolve their fears.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who was one of the first Senators to publicly raise concerns about Biden's continued candidacy, told reporters following the meeting that he needs to see more from the campaign and more from Biden himself.

"Some of my concerns are allayed, some other have been deepened," Blumenthal said. "I need more of the kind of analytics that show the path to success."

Biden Campaign senior advisors Mike Donilon and Steve Ricchetti and Biden campaign Chair Jen OMalley Dillon called the meeting a day before as support for Biden appeared to deteriorate among Democrats on Capitol Hill.

The meeting was viewed by many Democrats as a critical opportunity for Biden's team to convince skeptical and fearful senators that Biden can not only run and win, but he can help Democrats keep control of the Senate.

In a memo obtained by NPR, Jen OMalley Dillon and Julie Chavez Rodriguez told staff on Thursday that theres a path to win the election, despite the setback of the debate, focusing on the Blue Wall states of Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan.

While there is no question there is increased anxiety following the debate, we are not seeing this translate into a drastic shift in vote share, they said in the memo, citing internal polling data as well as an ABC/Ipsos poll showing the race is a toss-up in key states.

That poll also shows a majority of Democratic voters wanted Biden to step aside. They said there is no sign in the polls that alternate Democratic nominees would do any better than Biden.

They said the campaign needs to stay focused on contrasting Bidens achievements with Trumps record on reproductive rights and on the Project 2025 agenda. The surest way to help Donald Trump is to spend his convention talking about our nominating process instead of the MAGA extremism that will be on stage in Milwaukee, they said.

The vast majority of Senators left the meeting eager to avoid questions from reporters. However Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., reiterated her support for Biden.

But a growing number of Democrats publicly and privately have raised concerns about Biden in recent days. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo, publicly confirmed that he told members this week that he is worried Biden will lose the election "by a landslide" and "take the House and Senate" with him.

Further criticism followed, including from Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley.

"I think President Biden should look at all of the information and carry on detailed conversations with key leaders, including Leader Schumer and Leader Jeffries, and should do what's best for the nation," Merkley told NPR in an interview.

He acknowledged that leaders and rank and file members are "extremely worried."

Vermont Sen. Peter Welch wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post sayin that Democrats "cannot unsee President Biden's disastrous debate performance" and urging Biden to back down.

But most have stopped short of asking him to step aside. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., has raised concerns but repeated a line shared by most Democrats: ultimately, the decision is out of their hands.

Well thats up to him," Tester said Wednesday. "Thats up to him."

Democrats are now closely watching a rare solo press conference scheduled for Thursday evening following the NATO summit in Washington. It will be an opportunity for Biden to demonstrate his ability on a national stage and prove that he can handle the campaign road ahead.

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Biden campaign rushes to convince Senate Democrats that Biden can win - NPR

President Biden entered Thursday night hoping that a steady performance at a news conference with the national press corps would quell dissension among Democrats, some of whom want him out of the race.

But within minutes of his departure from the stage, two more Democratic representatives joined the growing number of party members calling for him to end his re-election campaign against former President Donald J. Trump.

The 2024 election will define the future of American democracy, and we must put forth the strongest candidate possible to confront the threat posed by Trumps promised MAGA authoritarianism, Representative Jim Himes, a moderate Democrat from Connecticut and the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, said in a statement. I no longer believe that is Joe Biden.

And Representative Scott Peters of California also argued that Mr. Biden should leave the race, saying, The stakes are high, and we are on a losing course.

Later in the evening, Representative Eric Sorensen of Illinois joined their ranks, becoming the 18th Democratic member of either the House or the Senate to call for Mr. Biden to step aside.

More Democrats may defect on Friday, now that members of Congress no longer have to worry about embarrassing the president during the NATO summit that took place in Washington this week. But other Democrats said Mr. Bidens deft grasp of policy and the fact that he answered questions for nearly an hour was heartening, despite awkward moments like a flub in which he referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as Vice President Trump.

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After Bidens News Conference, Doubters and Defenders Weigh In - The New York Times

President Joe Biden did pretty well at his press conference Thursday night, and that may have disappointed a lot of Democrats. They were probably hoping for one of two outcomes: either that he would do badly, making it easier to persuade him to drop out of the race, or that he would knock it out of the park, allaying their concerns, making them believe that maybe he can stay in and win the election after all.

Instead, he did fine. Had the catastrophic debate two weeks ago not happened, this press conference would not have made a dent. It might not even have been broadcast in prime time; certainly, the cable news panels wouldnt have spent hours afterward scrutinizing every line.

A little before the press conference, as the three-day NATO summit came to an end, Biden introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as President Putin (though he recovered and corrected himself in seconds). During the press conference, he referred to Vice President Harris as Vice President Trump. A reporter asked him afterward if this didnt prove that he isnt in great cognitive condition.

Cmon. These are the sorts of mental hiccups that everyone lets out now and then. It doesnt necessarily mean squat. But because of the debate, every Biden speech, press conference, debate, or random conversation will be placed under a microscope, every stumble or stutter underlined, blown up to a large-font headline.

The NATO summit, which Biden hosted and which his press conference was meant to highlight, seemed to go quite wellfor the alliance and for Biden. Dozens, even hundreds, of reporters must have canvassed every foreign official, high and low, in attendance to see how they thought Biden came off: Did he have a Parkinsons moment? Did he ever mumble incoherently?

At least so far, Ive seen no reports of any sources shaking their heads or clucking in regret about the American presidents declining state. Which isnt to say no such moments occurred, or that Biden is not in decline. Its just that this summit and this press conferencewhich were touted as pivotal to Bidens political career and to the fate of democracymoved the story along not one bit.

And so the media will wait in suspense for the next pivotal moment. Is it possible Biden will suffer no bad nights between now and the election? When he has one, what conclusions will be reached? (In the background, Im right now hearing one cable-news commentator moaning, We cant live like this forever.)

Certainly the news shows are covering nothing elsenot even Trump, whose media advisers have shrewdly persuaded him to stay relatively (and uncharacteristically) quiet. As every consultant knows, when your opponent is digging himself into a big hole, make yourself scarce.

Stories about the NATO summit itself were seen as secondary to the Biden psychodrama, even though the event was quite successful. The allies reaffirmed their commitment to spending 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense, upped their support for Ukraine, laid out a path for Ukraines eventual membership in NATO (though not right now).

At a press gathering earlier in the day, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that at a roundtable of NATO members, each head of state expressed thanks to the United States and to the president personally for making all this progress possible. Biden repeated the point at the press conference. Those leaders were probably sincere. Biden has been largely responsible, and almost every head of state is terrified at the prospect of another term of Trump, who has disdain for alliances in general and has talked about leaving NATO in particular.

There were substantive questions at the press conferenceabout the summit, about Ukraine, about the Middle East warand Biden answered them at length and with deep knowledge. This is his specializationit has been since he became a senator more than 50 years agoand it showed. Aside from the two already noted, he committed no gaffes, no stumbles over leaders names, no errors of fact; it was all clear.

And it was in these moments that Biden made his case for staying in the race. A reporter asked at one point about his remark, early on in his term, that he considered himself a bridgea one-term transition to younger leadership. What had changed, the reporter asked, meaning: Why are you running again? He replied, What changed was the gravity of the situation I inherited, in economics, foreign policy, and the country.

He added, Im not in this for my legacy. Im in this to complete the job. The only legitimate question, he insisted, is Am I getting the job done? Can you name me someone whos gotten more major legislation passed in three years?

Biden seems still to be hoping that this becomes the only serious question among the voters as well. For the moment, for good or ill, he genuinely seems to be staying in the race.

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Democrats Were Hoping for One of Two Things Thursday Night. Joe Biden Didnt Give Them Either. - Slate