In the face of public and private grumbling about his ability to beat Donald Trump, Joe Biden remains resolute in his stance as the Democratic nominee for president. Despite concerns about his age and performance, Biden’s allies have managed to minimize Democratic defections as they work to rally support for his struggling campaign. While some lawmakers have privately voiced doubts about Biden’s chances in the upcoming election, the majority seems to be in agreement that it is time to unify behind the former vice president.
During a closed-door meeting with House Democrats, only a small group of defectors expressed concerns about Biden’s candidacy, with the majority acknowledging him as the party’s nominee. Longtime Rep. Jerry Nadler, who had previously called for Biden to step aside, now appears resigned to the fact that Biden will continue as the nominee. While some lawmakers are still wary of potential missteps from Biden, there is a growing sentiment that it is time to focus on supporting him in the race against Trump.
In response to leaks from a private Zoom meeting, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized the importance of keeping discussions confidential to maintain party unity. Lawmakers were instructed to leave their phones and smart watches at the door to prevent further leaks. Despite concerns about Biden’s health and performance, most Democrats seem to be aligning behind the notion of supporting him as the nominee, even if they have reservations about his ability to defeat Trump in November.