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Senate Democrats expressed their “deep concerns” about the presidential race at their meeting today, according to one senator. And, a source told CNN that three of the lawmakers told colleagues that President Joe Biden can’t win re-relection.
After the House caucus meeting, several Democrats refused to say whether they supported keeping Biden as their party’s nominee, a sign of the lingering divide over his electoral viability. Also, Rep. Mikie Sherill became the latest Democrat to call on the president to step aside.
Tuesday was seen as a make-or-break day for Biden’s political future, as numerous Democrats told CNN that the conclusions drawn from caucus meetings would likely seal his fate.
Meanwhile, the Republican National Convention, where the GOP will nominate Donald Trump as its presidential candidate, kicks off next week in Milwaukee. The convention’s platform committee on Monday overwhelmingly passed the new Trump-aligned Republican platform, which softened the party’s language on abortion, a source told CNN.
Where things stand: While Biden has said he will not abandon his campaign, top Democrats tell CNN the decision ultimately lies with party leadership, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Schumer and Jeffries both publicly backed Biden on Monday, and Schumer reiterated his support on Tuesday.
House meeting: Inside the House Democratic meeting, lawmakers made their cases about Biden’s future, one member told CNN. New York Rep. Gregory Meeks called it a “listening session” and other members described the room as filled with “sadness.” Ahead of the meeting, six House Democrats had publicly called for Biden to withdraw. After the meeting, the Democrats mostly remained divided, with several lawmakers refusing to say whether they would continue to support Biden and others defending him. Also, Rep. Mikie Sherrill became the seventh House Democrat to call on Biden to step aside.
Senate meeting: Up until now, no Democratic senators have publicly called for him to step aside. Leaving the lengthy lunch meeting, many senators refused to reveal if any of their colleagues had called on Biden to leave the race. Sen. Chris Coons called it a “constructive“ discussion. Members also laid out “deep concerns,” one senator said. One source familiar told CNN that Sens. Michael Bennet, Sherrod Brown and Jon Tester told colleagues they do not think Biden can win.
Parkinson’s specialist visits the White House: Biden’s doctor released a letter offering some details about neurologist Dr. Kevin Cannard’s visits to the White House, following days of speculation about the president’s health. He wrote that “President Biden has not seen a neurologist outside of his annual physical.” Later, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the meeting between the two doctors in January was not related to Biden’s care.
NATO: National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby defended Biden’s capacity to serve as commander-in-chief at all hours of the day – comments that came ahead of the NATO summit and after Biden told governors last week that he needed more sleep. A State Department spokesperson also said he was not aware of any world leaders “raising concerns” about Biden.
RNC: Ahead of the Republican National Convention next week, former Vice President Mike Pence called the 2024 Republican party platform a “profound disappointment” to anti-abortion Republicans. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley said she is releasing her RNC delegates and urging them to support Trump. Her aides said she would not attend the convention.
source: cnn.com
