Washington – President Biden spoke Wednesday with more Democratic leaders as his campaign works to contain the fallout from his rocky debate performance, which has fueled suggestions the president may be ineligible for another term.
On Wednesday morning, Mr. Biden spoke, CBS News has learned. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Delaware Sen. The president also spoke with Chris Koons on Tuesday.
Also on Wednesday, the White House refused Report from The New York Times Mr. Biden told an unnamed associate that he was considering whether or not to continue in the race, a statement the spokesman called « absolutely false. »
Mr. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris joined an all-staff campaign call Wednesday afternoon, a source familiar with the call told CBS News. The president has acknowledged the difficulty he has faced over the past few days, but made it clear in November that he intends to continue to compete and defeat former President Donald Trump.
« I'm in this race to the end, and we're going to win, because when Democrats come together, we always win, » the president said.
The Biden campaign has insisted he is staying in the race, downplaying a poor debate performance by saying the president has a cold. The president himself blamed the incident on his busy travel schedule at a campaign event on Tuesday, saying it wasn't « very smart » to travel around the world earlier and that he « almost fell asleep » on stage.
On Tuesday from members of his own party, Mr. The First Democratic legislator He publicly called for him to withdraw from the competition. A group of « leading » House Democrats facing competitive races this year have begun sending letters asking the president to step aside as a presumptive nominee, a Democratic lawmaker told CBS News. The lawmaker said, « I think if a lot of people sign up, we can break the dam. »
By Wednesday, at least 25 lawmakers plan to sign the letter, which will come in « a few days, » a senior House Democrat told CBS News.
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After the disastrous debate, despite most elected Democrats publicly supporting the president, Mr. While questions about Biden's performance have been brushed off as a bad night, there has been a marked shift among some members of the party recently. Many now seem ready to question the president's fitness for office — and comment on the path forward.
Some made it clear that if Biden were the party's nominee, he would have to reassure voters, elected Democrats and donors that he was willing to work. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday on MSNBC that the president should interview « serious journalists » and « sit there and be Joe. » The president will sit down with ABC's George Stephanopoulos on Friday for an interview that will air over the weekend.
Meanwhile, there is concern among donors. One Democratic donor, Whitney Tilson, has been outspokenly advocating for the president to withdraw, telling CBS News that « there are constant phone, email and text conversations going on. »
Among voters, the race has shifted slightly in Trump's direction since the debate, a new CBS News report shows poll detected. Across battleground states, Trump now holds a 3-point edge over President Biden and a 2-point edge nationally.
President A Meeting with Democratic Governors At the White House Wednesday evening, the Biden campaign worked to keep leaders and elected Democrats in the fold.
If the president decides to withdraw from the race, the path forward is largely unknown. As the presumptive candidate, Mr. Biden has already been assigned. His departure could prompt a rival conference later this summer. Attention will certainly return Harris As a natural successor, but interest has been swirling in recent days over several alternatives waiting for a new generation to take over the leadership of the party.
The president's family, to whom he is famously close, He encouraged him to stay in the race After the discussion, fight over the weekend.
Fin Gómez, Nikole Killion, Aaron Navarro, Ed O'Keefe and Matthew Mosk contributed reporting.
