Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) is reportedly trying to organize a delegation of Democratic senators to urge President Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.
Warner, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, has reportedly told colleagues he fears the 81-year-old Trump will lose to former President Donald Trump, 78, in a November debate following his disastrous performance in the June 27 debate.
The caucus of senators that Warner, 69, is trying to assemble is scheduled to deliver a message to Biden at the White House on Monday. According to the Washington Post.
One Democratic senator, speaking anonymously to the outlet, said he was concerned the president’s aides were downsized after the debate and had not accurately explained to him how damaging his performance against Trump had been to his standing as a presidential candidate.
Warner’s office did not respond to The Washington Post’s request for comment.
“Like many in Washington and across the country, Senator Warner believes this is a critical time in the presidential campaign and has made that clear to the White House,” Warner spokeswoman Rachel Cohen told The Washington Post.
She refused to confirm or deny whether Warner thinks Biden should stop seeking reelection.
As Biden continues to campaign, there are concerns that his presence could hurt lower-ranked Democratic candidates.
Democrats currently outnumber Republicans in the Senate, 51-49, but must defend seats in several battleground states, including Montana, Nevada and Ohio.
But no sitting Democratic senators have publicly called for replacing Biden in the 2024 presidential election.
He is facing public calls for his resignation from three Democratic members of Congress: Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Massachusetts) and Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Arizona).
Reuters reported earlier this week that 25 House Democrats were preparing to ask the president to halt his campaign.
The Washington Post reported that several Democratic senators plan to wait for the results of Biden’s Friday rally in Wisconsin and his primetime interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos before deciding whether to call for him to withdraw.
“I think there’s a recognition among many that the current path may not be sustainable for him,” a Democratic senator who declined to be named told the outlet. “It’s not just about the debates, it’s about how well he performs in the future. He clearly has to show strength now.”
Biden signaled his determination to continue the campaign on Friday.
“I’m the nominee of the Democratic Party,” Biden told rallygoers in Wisconsin. “You chose me to be your nominee, and no one else.”
“It seems like some people don’t care who you voted for. And guess what? They’re trying to throw me out of the race. I’ll be very clear: I’m staying in the race.”
