Biden calls senior Hill Democrats as post-debate concerns grow louder
President Joe Biden called senior Hill Democrats days after his terrible debate performance last week, multiple people familiar told POLITICO, marking his most direct effort to reassure the highest levels of his party of his reelection campaign's continued viability. The lawmakers included House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who Biden called Tuesday, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who Biden called Wednesday morning. He has also spoken with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and close ally Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) on Wednesday, two people familiar said. After his call with Clyburn, the South Carolina member's spokesperson Brianna Frias told POLITICO: “Congressman Clyburn had a very long conversation with President Biden on Wednesday. The substance of that call will remain private.” Biden additionally called another Hill ally, Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), on Tuesday, according to one of the people. The news of the calls comes as many Democratic lawmakers — past and present —told POLITICO they have not heard directly from Biden after his debate performance Thursday. They have heard from senior staff but not from the president himself. Many Democrats continue to stress they need to see more of the president engaging with voters in unscripted settings and answering tough questions. Schumer, Jeffries and Clyburn have publicly said they continue to support the president, but they will still need to deal with growing concerns from members within their caucuses. “I want, like everybody else, to hear more from the president,” Clyburn said Wednesday morning on CNN. “I give him my honest opinions, but I keep them private.”What’s more, both chambers of Congress return to town next week. And Democrats who’ve kept quiet during the current congressional recess will have little room to hide from questions on Biden’s performance. Republicans have already been using the debate to criticize vulnerable Democrats who previously dismissed concerns over the president’s acuity.
President Joe Biden called senior Hill Democrats days after his terrible debate performance last week, multiple people familiar told POLITICO, marking his most direct effort to reassure the highest levels of his party of his reelection campaign's continued viability.
The lawmakers included House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who Biden called Tuesday, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who Biden called Wednesday morning.
He has also spoken with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and close ally Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) on Wednesday, two people familiar said. After his call with Clyburn, the South Carolina member's spokesperson Brianna Frias told POLITICO: “Congressman Clyburn had a very long conversation with President Biden on Wednesday. The substance of that call will remain private.”
Biden additionally called another Hill ally, Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), on Tuesday, according to one of the people.
The news of the calls comes as many Democratic lawmakers — past and present —told POLITICO they have not heard directly from Biden after his debate performance Thursday. They have heard from senior staff but not from the president himself.
Many Democrats continue to stress they need to see more of the president engaging with voters in unscripted settings and answering tough questions. Schumer, Jeffries and Clyburn have publicly said they continue to support the president, but they will still need to deal with growing concerns from members within their caucuses.
“I want, like everybody else, to hear more from the president,” Clyburn said Wednesday morning on CNN. “I give him my honest opinions, but I keep them private.”
What’s more, both chambers of Congress return to town next week. And Democrats who’ve kept quiet during the current congressional recess will have little room to hide from questions on Biden’s performance. Republicans have already been using the debate to criticize vulnerable Democrats who previously dismissed concerns over the president’s acuity.
