Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) said Sunday that the Democratic Party will need President Biden to play a vital role at the Democratic National Convention in August, regardless of whether he is the party’s presidential nominee.
“So we are having a serious conversation about what to do. 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,” Raskin said Sunday on MSNBC’s “Velshi.”
“And then, whether [Biden’s] the candidate or someone else is the candidate, he will be the main speaker at our convention. He will be the figure around whom we will rally to move forward and defeat the forces of authoritarianism and reaction in the country.”
Biden’s debate performance last week raised concerns within the Democratic Party about keeping him at the top of the party’s ticket for the 2024 elections, after he showed difficulty putting together ideas and at times appeared tired and confused.
A growing number of Democratic voters and some unnamed lawmakers have called on Biden to step aside and allow a different candidate to take his place as the party’s nominee. Biden has already won the primaries and, therefore, cannot be deposed at the convention, meaning the decision will be up to him.
“Obviously, there was a huge problem with Joe Biden’s debate performance, and there is also a huge reservoir of affection and love for Joe Biden in our party,” Raskin said. “And so, that makes it difficult for everyone. But there are very honest, serious and rigorous conversations taking place at all levels of our party, because it is a political party and we have differences of point of view.
Raskin argued that Biden “came back strong” in North Carolina, where he held a rally on Friday after the debate, while still noting concerns still felt within his party.
“I thought it was a very blunt, hard-hitting speech when he was in North Carolina. And that gave me some comfort, but I know there are still a lot of worries out there and these are not in any way unmotivated worries. Once again, we love Joe Biden. He has been a magnificent president.
Names of potential replacements include Vice President Harris, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, California Governor Gavin Newsom and Representative Ro Khanna (D-Calif.).
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
