By Brendan Scanland
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Concerns are growing on Capitol Hill over President Biden’s reelection chances.
Senate Democrats met behind closed-doors this afternoon with members of the Biden campaign to discuss the election ahead of a high-stakes solo press conference with the President Thursday evening.
It was a hectic day as more Democrats publicly called for President Biden to step aside. There are now over a dozen House Democrats and one senator who think the President should step aside.
Concerns are growing on Capitol Hill over whether Biden is the best possible candidate to take on former President Donald Trump in November.
Wednesday evening, Senator Peter Welch (D- VT) became the first Democratic Senator to say Biden is not that candidate, encouraging him to step aside. Welch told reporters after Thursday’s closed-door meeting that his mind did not change.
Many senators kept quiet when pressed about whether Biden should stay in the race, many saying “we need to look at the data and the analytics” and “see how things go this week.”
Others, like Sen. John Fetterman (D- PA), are airing full support for Biden.
“I think I’ve been very clear what side I’m on,” said Sen. Fetterman on Weds.
Democratic leadership in the House and Senate have publicly reiterated their support for Biden. However, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D- NY) said Thursday that conversations regarding Democrats’ concerns are ongoing.
“Those conversations have been candid, comprehensive and clear eyed, and they continue. Until that process has concluded, I’m not going to address what any outside stakeholders may have to say about this matter,” said Jeffries.
Thursday evening, President Biden will deliver perhaps one of the most important press conferences of his career. He’ll mark the end of the NATO summit but is also expected to address concerns about his cognitive ability and mental fitness.
It will be Biden’s first solo press conference since last November.
The eyes of the nation and the world will be watching. If the President struggles, it could force House and Senate Democratic leaders to confront what a growing number of their members are worried about.
