Both the Democrats who remained by the side of the President of the United States, Joe Biden, and those who abandoned the head of state after a poor performance in the Debate of CNN they see this Tuesday (9) as a decisive day for the president’s political future.
Party members within the Biden administration and some others close to the White House and the campaign told CNN in recent days that the conclusions drawn at this morning’s House Democrats meeting, followed by a Senate Democrats meeting in the afternoon, are likely to seal the president’s fate.
Although Biden said only “God” could lead him to abandon his campaign, top Democrats told CNN that the decision ultimately rests with party leadership, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Schumer and Jeffries publicly supported Biden on Monday (8), after the president released campaign calls and congressional meetings.
However, both leaders will face attack from across their respective caucuses, which have seen support from senior members dwindle, which will force Democrats to make a decision.
“I can’t emphasize this enough: Democrats need to make a decision and then move on,” said a member of the Democratic National Committee to CNN.
“The attacks will not stop until the leadership officially puts an end to the uncertainty,” he explained.
There is still significant skepticism that Biden can be replaced on the ticket without major concerns and bureaucracy.
“Listening session”
The House Democratic meeting lasted nearly two hours, according to people who attended the meeting.
Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York characterized it as a “listening session.” About 30 Democrats spoke during the convention.
Glenn Ivey of Maryland told CNN that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries was “listening,” adding that “the meeting was organized as an opportunity to listen.”
Without consensus, sides of the Democratic caucus plan to meet throughout the day.
At the meeting, some members brought up the polls and concerns they were hearing from their districts, but Ivey said that, given the format of the meeting, the atmosphere did not become hostile.
When asked what the mood was on the call, Jennifer McClellan of Virginia said, “Ready to win.”
Feeling of sadness and privacy
Leaving the meeting, Rep. Greg Landsman emphasized the need for privacy as House Democrats debate the future of President Joe Biden’s candidacy.
“I can’t speak for anyone in the room, nor will I, and I don’t think others will either. I think there is a commitment to ensuring that this conversation is held as a family,” she highlighted.
Landsman also pointed out that Biden needs to “prove he can” run a campaign that will beat Donald Trump, a common message among Democrats who have expressed skepticism about the viability of the candidacy.
Another source who attended the party meeting this morning told CNN that there is a feeling of “sadness” after being asked to assess the mood of the conversation.
He explained that sadness comes from “talking about someone you love who is in obvious decline.”
Biden will meet with mayors
Joe Biden will also meet with Democratic mayors in a virtual meeting Tuesday night, a source familiar with the meeting said.
The meeting with the Democratic Mayors Association is expected to take place via Zoom. The president will make comments and participate in a question and answer session, the source said.
On Monday, Biden participated in similar virtual meetings with the Congressional Black Caucus and major donors who sit on his campaign’s National Finance Committee.
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