Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., acknowledged Sunday that there are “very honest, serious and rigorous conversations taking place” in the Democratic Party following President Joe Biden’s dismal performance in Thursday’s presidential debate.
Raskin’s comments constitute a departure from what most top Democrats have said publicly in their defense of the president, as they acknowledge that Biden had a “bad” debate but argue that does not disqualify him from running for president.
“I made it very clear that it was a dismal performance on Thursday during the debate, as President Biden and his campaign acknowledged. It was certainly a setback. But of course I believe that a setback is nothing more than preparation for a comeback,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told MSNBC’s “The Weekend” on Sunday.
But privately, NBC News reported Saturday, top Democrats are worried about Biden’s campaign.
“We are having a serious conversation about what to do,” Raskin said in an interview with MSNBC’s Ali Velshi on Sunday morning, adding: “One thing I can say is that regardless of what President Biden decides, our party will be unified, and our party also needs him at the center of our deliberations in our campaign, and therefore whether he is the candidate or someone else is the candidate.”
Several lawmakers told NBC News on Friday that it was time to replace Biden as the nominee, including one who said “it’s time to talk about an open convention and a new Democratic nominee,” but none attached their names to the comments.
During an interview with MSNBC’s “The Weekend” on Saturday, Biden senior adviser Anita Dunn said Biden had not discussed dropping out of the race with advisers.
“The president will remain out there. And he will make the case for why Donald Trump is a threat to this country and why there is a better path ahead for Americans,” Dunn said.
Biden is at Camp David this weekend with his family, reuniting with loved ones after a tumultuous week and a dismal debate performance.
Although the trip was planned before the debate, Biden was expected to discuss the future of his campaign with his family.
This story originally appeared on NBCNews.com read the full story
