Anxious Senate Democrats warn time is running out for answers about Biden’s future

Senate Democrats returned to Washington on Monday, voicing concerns about President Biden’s future as the Democratic presidential nominee, setting up high-stakes negotiations in the coming days about the way forward for the party.

While no Senate Democrat has gone as far as at least six of their House counterparts in calling for Biden to step aside after his disastrous debate performance, questions have arisen among anxious lawmakers about whether Biden will cost them dearly in November — and they want a short order response.

“I have a lot of concerns,” said Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.). “And I’m not the only one.”

“I’ve heard a lot of concerns from people in Minnesota. I mean, I think right now our party is having a big discussion about what’s next and what we should do. And I actually think that’s healthy,” said Smith, vice president of the Democratic Senate campaign arm. “There is no simple path here. There is no simple path to follow.”

The senators’ return to the Capitol coincided with a more concerted effort by Biden to assuage the concerns of top Democrats, including him making clear to supporters, donors and reporters in interviews that he was not going anywhere and angered by suggestions that he should. .

But it remains unclear whether he will be able to calm the raw nerves of Senate Democrats. Several Senate Democrats on Monday refused to fully support him and called for a series of conversations aimed at answering whether he should be at the top of the ticket in November.

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) was planning a meeting Monday with members to discuss Biden’s potential replacement on the ticket, but abandoned the plan because the Senate Democratic Conference is expected to speak at length on the issue over lunch of Tuesday.

In a statement, the Virginia senator said “now is the time to talk about the strongest path forward” for the party, and several of his colleagues agreed.

“They are concerned,” said Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colorado) when asked what he has heard from voters back home since the debate. “They want to know that this was not a reflection of a serious condition, but just that it was a bad night… If the American people come to the conclusion that it was a bad night, we will be fine and the president will be fine. If they come to the conclusion that it’s something else, that will be difficult.”

Bennet, former chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, also noted that the party has rejected candidates “who are killing themselves in swing states and swing districts” — a top concern for many members as the party cannot allow yourself to make mistakes in your fight. to maintain the majority.

Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), one of two red-state Democrats running for re-election this year, made his concerns clear in a statement Monday, saying Biden “has to prove to the American people — including me – that he will be ready to work for another four years.”

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), the other threatened party member, added that Ohio voters “have legitimate questions about whether the president should continue his campaign.”

But for now, party leaders support the president. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (DN.Y.) repeatedly told reporters “I’m for Joe” as he entered the Capitol on Monday.

Sen. Dick Durbin (Ill.), the Senate’s No. 2 Democrat, added that his confidence is “high” in Biden, but acknowledged that his conference is divided at this point.

“I understand the reality of the challenges he faces and that we face,” said Durbin, who is at home recovering from hip replacement surgery. “I’ve been parked in front of a television for 12 or 14 days. There has been a topic, an issue, day after day… and this is the situation after the debate.

“We cannot ignore reality,” he said, pointing to Tuesday’s meeting. “We have to resolve this issue.”

Other key Biden allies noted the importance of this week but said the president was trying to calm concerns and answer voters’ questions about his mental acuity and ability to serve another four years in the White House.

Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), one of his main supporters, noted that Biden will host the NATO summit in downtown Washington this week and hold a solo press conference. The move is a rarity for the president, but it comes amid Democratic calls for him to hold more events in impromptu settings and demonstrate he is up to the job.

“I would say he has and will,” Coons said. “To colleagues who had any concerns, I say: talk to him. He is happy to talk to them. Watch the last five interviews, events… and speeches he gave.”

“And give him the benefit of the doubt, for God’s sake,” he continued. “It’s Joe Biden.”

Alexander Bolton contributed.

This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story