“Meet the Press” host Kristen Welker said some “Democratic leaders” would be relieved if President Biden were to drop out of the running for president.
A senior Democratic Party official said there was in fact a bailout plan. [Biden] “I intend to resign,” Welker told MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell on Monday.
The 81-year-old Biden threw panic into his supporters last week with a flubbed and disorganized performance in a debate with Republican front-runner Donald Trump.
Shortly after the disastrous debate, White House aides stressed that Biden would continue to campaign and said he was already preparing for the second debate in September.
Welker explained that if Biden were to step aside, leading Democrats would likely try to “reintroduce” Vice President Kamala Harris, who rose to the top of the list of potential candidates.
“Someone told me, [that] Everyone is writing off Kamala Harris because her approval ratings are lower than President Biden’s, but if she stays on this path through November, there’s a way to bring her back into the country and maybe even with independents. [and] “We will work with moderates,” Welker added.
Democrats have expressed “deep concerns” about Biden following his disastrous debate defeat, but they also recognize the president’s team is rallying around him.
“My fellow citizens, the party supports him and, as you all say, gives him the space to take this decision,” she said.
“But the reality is, they’re going to fight for Trump if he stays in the race, but they’re also going to be very focused on keeping the House, keeping the Senate and, frankly, figuring out a strategy for 2028 because they’re very concerned about winning and their ability to beat Trump.”
