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President Joe Biden addresses supporters during a campaign rally at Sherman Middle School on July 5, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin.
Washington
CNN
—
After President Joe Biden’s reelection effort was thrown into disarray following his debate missteps last month, Democrats who have been backing and abandoning Biden since then are viewing Tuesday as a defining day for the president’s political future.
Numerous Democrats in the Biden administration, as well as people close to the White House and campaign, have told CNN in recent days that the outcomes of a morning meeting of House Democrats followed by an afternoon caucus by Senate Democrats will likely determine the president’s fate.
While Biden has said only “Almighty God” could stop him from campaigning, a senior Democratic official told CNN that the ultimate decision rests with party leadership, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
“Chuck and Hakeem are going to have to say, ‘Congress is turning its back on you,'” one senior Democrat told CNN of the only scenario that would force Biden to abandon his candidacy. “That’s basically what it comes down to.”
Schumer and Jeffries publicly endorsed Biden on Monday after Biden went on a radio, campaign calls and congressional caucus offensive to shore up his support. But they will face off against the entire caucus, where support from committee leaders is waning. Depending on how much support wanes, Democrats could be forced to choose a side.
Party officials told CNN that a decision needs to be made quickly, or the escalating internal party infighting and the resulting damage to Biden’s reputation could irreparably damage his candidacy.
“Democrats need to make a decision and move forward. I can’t emphasize that enough,” a Democratic National Committee official told CNN. “The criticism won’t stop until leadership formally ends the uncertainty.”
Another senior Democratic leader put it more bluntly: “Both party leaders need to tell their members on Tuesday to ‘do their job.'”
Many in the party understand the frustration caused by Biden’s debate performance, which has resurfaced questions about his health and longevity that even former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called “legitimate.”
But significant skepticism remains about whether Biden can be smoothly replaced without further agonizing and red tape.
“The illusion that you can swap in somebody and have them run the convention and win the nomination is just an illusion,” another senior Democratic official told CNN. “The debate in between is not helpful.”
This is breaking news and will be updated.
