Joe Biden faced another significant setback in his pursuit of reelection as Democratic lawmakers convened a crisis call to discuss his viability for the upcoming presidential race. The meeting, held on Sunday afternoon, July 7, highlighted increasing concerns among legislators about their electoral prospects in November.
During the call, multiple sources reported that at least five additional Democratic lawmakers urged Biden, aged 81, to withdraw from the race. Instead, there was consensus among many participants that Vice President Kamala Harris, aged 59, should assume the mantle of the party’s nominee.
Key figures voicing support for Biden to step aside included Judiciary Ranking Member Jerry Nadler and House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mark Takano. Representatives Don Beyer, Adam Smith, and Joseph Morelle also expressed sentiments that Biden’s candidacy was untenable.
The call, organized by Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, coincided with lawmakers’ return to Washington, D.C., after the July 4 holiday, anticipating significant political repercussions in Congress. Reflecting on the intense atmosphere, a House Democrat remarked, “The situation is poised to escalate when Congress reconvenes on Monday.”
Additionally, Senator Mark Warner of Virginia initiated discussions among Senate Democrats regarding Biden’s future, with a meeting slated for Monday evening. The deliberations come amid growing public scrutiny over Biden’s debate performances, which Congressman Adam Schiff characterized as raising legitimate doubts among voters about his ability to effectively challenge Donald Trump.
Schiff, speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, emphasized the critical nature of the upcoming election, asserting, “Joe Biden should be decisively ahead against a candidate like Donald Trump. The fact that it’s not happening is directly linked to concerns about the president’s age.”
In offering advice to Biden, Schiff suggested seeking counsel from trusted advisors and independent pollsters to make a well-informed decision about his political future. He underscored the urgency of the moment, urging Biden to act decisively in the best interests of both the Democratic Party and the nation.
