President Joe Biden is expected to engage in critical discussions about his re-election campaign with family members at Camp David on Sunday, following a nationally televised debate that has sparked worry among fellow Democrats about his prospects against former President Donald Trump in November, NBC News has reported.
The planned family gathering, which was arranged before Thursday's debate, comes as Biden grapples with the fallout from a performance that left many in his party questioning his viability as a candidate. The president and First Lady Jill Biden are set to join their children and grandchildren at the presidential retreat late Saturday.
While top party leaders, including former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, have publicly expressed support for Biden, sources close to the matter reveal that senior congressional Democrats have privately voiced concerns. Representatives Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, and Nancy Pelosi of California are among those reportedly discussing Biden's electoral chances behind closed doors, even as they maintain public backing for the president.
The debate's aftermath has created a complex political landscape for Democrats. One House member, speaking anonymously to NBC News, claimed that three colleagues shared their belief that Biden should exit the race during floor votes on Friday. However, spokespeople for Pelosi, Jeffries, and Clyburn vehemently denied any wavering in support for the president.
"Speaker Pelosi has full confidence in President Biden and looks forward to attending his inauguration on January 20, 2025," stated Ian Krager, Pelosi's spokesman. Similar sentiments were echoed by representatives for Jeffries and Clyburn, emphasizing their unwavering support for the Biden-Harris ticket.
Despite these assurances, there's a growing consensus among top Democrats that Biden needs space to determine his next steps. Many believe that only the president, in consultation with his family, can decide whether to continue his campaign or step aside.
"The decision-makers are two people – it's the president and his wife," one source familiar with the discussions told NBC News. "Anyone who doesn't understand how deeply personal and familial this decision will be isn't knowledgeable about the situation."
The president's mood following the debate has been described as somber. One person close to Biden characterized him as "humiliated" and "devoid of confidence," acutely aware of the lasting impact of his debate performance and physical appearance.
Anita Dunn, a senior Biden adviser, addressed the situation on MSNBC's "The Weekend," stating that the president has not discussed dropping out with his aides. Instead, she emphasized that internal talks have focused on moving forward. "We had a bad debate," Dunn acknowledged. "What do we do next? You know, the president, above all, is focused on what do we do next? What do I need to go do?"
As Democrats grapple with the implications of Biden's debate showing, the party finds itself divided into three camps: staunch defenders, those ready for a change, and a crucial group waiting to see how Biden proceeds and how polls respond in the coming weeks.
The Biden campaign has sought to reassure party officials, holding a conference call with Democratic National Committee members on Saturday. A campaign official described the effort as a demonstration that Biden's team is actively communicating with allies.
While some Democrats contemplate alternative paths to defeating Trump, including the possibility of a different nominee, Biden himself has reaffirmed his commitment to the race. At a rally in North Carolina on Friday, he declared, "I would not be running again if I didn't believe with all my heart and soul I can do this job."
As the political landscape continues to shift, all eyes remain on President Biden and his family as they convene at Camp David, with the future of the Democratic presidential campaign hanging in the balance.
