Dem House leader sets weekend meeting amid questions over Biden's candidacy: reports
The Democratic House minority leader plans to hold a virtual meeting with fellow ranking members over the weekend and among the topics of discussion: President Joe Biden's candidacy as he faces growing calls from some within his own party to drop out of the race against former President Donald Trump.
Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) reportedly plans to meet with fellow Democrats on Sunday, multiple media outlets reported, including CNN, NBC News and Axios. The meeting is expected to touch upon Biden's candidacy and comes after Jeffries wrote on X earlier Friday: "Failure is not an option."
"We must succeed. For the People," Jeffries wrote.
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Jeffries has publicly said following the debate that he does not believe Biden should step aside.
It also comes as Democrats in Congress tell Axios that donors, constituents, and other key stakeholders have deep reservations about Biden's strength — particularly candidates in battleground states.
A forceful Biden reiterated at a campaign rally Friday he has no plans to drop out of the race. He acknowledged that while it was not his "best performance" he is "going to win again."
The House meeting also comes after Sen. Mark Warner, chair of the powerful Senate Intelligence Committee, reportedly told fellow Democratic senators that Biden can't remain atop the ticket.
“Like many other people in Washington and across the country, Senator Warner believes these are critical days for the president’s campaign, and he has made that clear to the White House," Rachel Cohen, spokeswoman for the senator, told The Washington Post in a statement.
It also comes as Trump's former attorney Jim Trusty said it might be best for the country if an "addled" and "out-of-it" Biden drops out of the presidential race, but that swapping Biden with someone else could end up hurting GOP's chances at retaking the White House.
"For Donald Trump, it's probably best if Biden stays in," Trusty told Newsmax.
Reaction was swift on X upon news of Jeffries' planned meeting, with many speculating Jeffries will back Biden behind closed doors — and slam pearl-clutching colleagues.
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"I hope Hakeem reviews Joe's Wisconsin speech and answers to press questions from today because, at least on this day, Joe Biden is firing on all cylinders," wrote @CrazyFenaker.
"Hakeem is going to tell people to stop wetting their pants and wringing their hands," wrote @TaritaC. "He's going to get them back in line."
"I hope he tells them to calm down and move forward," wrote @ZahnRosalie.
"Biden isn’t going anywhere," wrote @jenns_acct, with a photoshopped image of Biden giving an obscene hand gesture.
"Most democrats support @POTUS so stop with the pearl clutching," said @DeborahFarkas Friday.