House Democrats met Tuesday at their national party headquarters in Washington for an important closed session to weigh whether to proceed supporting President Joe Biden's candidacy for re-election or call for him to withdraw from the race.
Lawmakers didn’t have access to their phones through the session, the primary time your complete caucus has met since Biden's disastrous debate against former President Donald Trump in June sparked a full-blown campaign crisis.
Many members refused to reply reporters' questions as they regularly left the constructing after the meeting on Tuesday morning.
“I promised I would not speak at all about what was said,” Democratic Rep. Mike Quigley of Illinois told NBC News as he left.
When a reporter asked Representative Steve Cohen (D-Tennessee) if the Democrats agreed, Cohen replied, “No… we don't even agree.”
Cohen also told an Axios reporter: some members within the caucus meeting that Biden should resign. A spokesman for Cohen didn’t immediately reply to CNBC's request to substantiate that comment.
Biden's weak, hoarse performance in the controversy sparked panic amongst Democrats and prompted some top donors, pundits and allies to openly call on the 81-year-old Biden to desert his candidacy for one more 4 years in office.
This growing choir includes at the very least eight incumbent Democrats within the House of Representatives, in line with NBC's count.
Rep. Jerry Nadler (DN.J.), who also called on Biden to drop out, said Tuesday that he now supports the incumbent.
“I fully support him. I plan to campaign for him. And it is important that he wins.” Nadler said.
But Democratic Representative Lori Trahan of Massachusetts expressed deep reservations about Biden's continued candidacy.
“Since the debate, I have met with fellow Biden voters in Massachusetts who have real concerns about the president's ability to beat Donald Trump. I share those concerns,” Trahan, co-chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, said in a press release to NBC on Tuesday.
“Although President Biden has made it clear that he believes he is the best candidate to win this election, nothing that has happened over the last 12 days suggests that voters feel the same way,” Trahan said.
“A second Trump presidency will cause irreparable harm to women and our country, and President Biden must act urgently to restore Americans' trust so we can win in November.”
Overall, nevertheless, only a number of Democratic lawmakers have publicly called for a change at the highest of the candidate list – an especially dangerous move lower than 4 months before Election Day.
Biden has rejected calls to step down, saying he continues to be one of the best candidate to tackle Trump within the presidential election. Since the controversy, he has worked to secure the support of key blocs, including the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
“I stand with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and we will continue to do the work that needs to be done,” Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Nanette Barragan (D-Calif.) said after the caucus meeting Tuesday morning on MSNBC.
Barragan described the meeting as a “family conversation where we listen to our colleagues,” but added, “These are private conversations.”
Top Democratic politicians have made temporary statements in support of the Biden-Harris candidate.
“I made it clear publicly the day after the debate that I support President Joe Biden and the Democrats. My position has not changed,” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York told reporters on Monday evening.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has said he supports Biden.
Senate Democrats will hold a caucus lunch on Tuesday afternoon.
Outside the Democratic National Committee constructing, a handful of protesters in sunglasses and suits held up signs in capital letters asking: “Is Joe Biden fit for office?!”
The protesters said they were from the National Republican Campaign Committee, Politico reported.
This is breaking news, please check back later for updates.
image credit : www.cnbc.com