Democrats were stunned into silence this weekend, stifling their complaints about President Joe Biden after the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.
But the effort to get Biden to step aside is resuming as rank-and-file members seek to prevent the incumbent from gliding to a drama-free, virtual renomination this month.
Biden and his team are trying to head off another full-scale rebellion by shoring up support among key lawmakers of color — a critical base of support — and proactively engaging with some disgruntled Democrats who want him to go.
Biden campaigned with Congressional Black Caucus Chair Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) and Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.) on Tuesday in Las Vegas, along with several other CBC members.
This key trio of Democrats represents where Biden is the strongest right now — among voters of color. The CBC, the CHC and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus have all received increased engagement from the Biden campaign in recent weeks.
What else the Biden campaign is doing: Beyond efforts to consolidate his close allies, Biden’s team is also beginning to reach out to some disaffected members following the tough reception he received last week during calls with key caucuses.
Biden campaign staff have extended an apology and offered to engage at a later time to members who didn’t get a chance to ask questions in the virtual meetings held over the weekend, according to a person familiar with the situation. We reported last week that Democratic Reps. Gabe Vasquez (N.M.) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Wash.) were among the CHC members who didn’t get to ask questions in the caucus call. MGP has publicly suggested that Biden not only stop running for reelection but resign from office.
The Biden campaign also sent out new talking points about GOP vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) to members of his national advisory board on Monday, according to an office that received a copy.
“The president, rightly so, took a pause from campaigning and has focused on leading the nation in this difficult time,” Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) told us. “Now that the convention is obviously in full swing, you’ll see the campaign switching back to getting back to making the contrast [against Trump].”
Trouble ahead, however: Even as the president seeks to build goodwill and protect his Hill relationships, he still faces a long road ahead to appease Democratic lawmakers.
Exhibit A: A group of House Democrats are trying to delay an attempt by the DNC to fast-track Biden’s nominating process as soon as this weekend.
A letter is currently being circulated among lawmakers and several Frontline Democrats are considering signing on. We reported on Tuesday that Rep. Mike Levin (D-Calif.), who called for Biden to withdraw his reelection bid, plans to support the effort. Several other Democrats have also declared they will do so.
One House Democrat told us concerns about the DNC’s date was a central topic in meetings with leadership since the beginning of the month.
“This has been a proxy battle for the last few weeks between those who want to stick with Biden and those who want him to step aside,” the lawmaker said.
A source close to the campaign said there’s been internal tension about Biden not acting sooner to secure congressional relationships and who he chose to engage with.
The source noted that Rep. Adam Smith (Wash.), top Democrat on the Armed Services panel, has called for Biden to step aside while Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) has become one of the president’s staunchest defenders.
— Mica Soellner and Max Cohen
