Dozens of Democratic lawmakers are expected to issue statements over the next two days urging President Joe Biden to not seek reelection, according to four Democratic officials familiar with the situation. Said CBS News ahead of the President’s NATO press conference.
“Two sources said plans have been coordinated and some of the statements prepared in advance, and it is not clear what Biden might say at a key news conference on Thursday night that could change the expected course of events,” the report said.
Multiple sources told CBS News that House Democratic leaders have told lawmakers to speak out publicly, with one predicting the next three to four days will be “brutal” and that Democrats’ push to oust Biden could make it harder for the president to continue his reelection campaign.
“Out of respect, congressional leaders are not expected to speak out publicly themselves or try to force Biden’s replacement, to avoid publicly breaking with the president,” the report continues, “but there is also recognition, as two sources said, that any public calls by leaders would invite staunch opposition from the president.”
Margaret Brennan wrote for CBS News that it’s unclear how many Democrat defections it would take to convince Biden to step aside. As of Thursday, 13 House Democrats and one Senate Democrat had publicly called on Biden to end his reelection campaign.
One source reportedly told the outlet that Biden may be persuaded by arguments that his continued candidacy could damage the Democratic Party and its ability to win the November election. Sources said only two people are likely to be able to “effectively get that message across to him”: Biden’s sister Valerie or his wife, Jill Biden.
Two sources told the outlet that if Biden leaves office, Vice President Kamala Harris would inherit the $240 million campaign coffers and likely rise to the top of the list of candidates.
“Democratic National Committee rules would make this the easiest and smoothest transition possible, but it would require Democrats to further solidify their male support, and it remains to be seen which male vice presidential candidate would join her in challenging former President Donald Trump,” Brennan wrote.
