Four more Democratic members of Congress have joined the growing chorus calling for President Joe Biden to step aside in the 2024 presidential race, according to multiple sources who spoke with NBC News, familiar with a Sunday phone call among House Democrats.
Representatives Adam Smith of Washington, Jerry Nadler of New York, Mark Takano of California, and Joe Morelle of New York, all holding top positions on key congressional committees, expressed their belief that Biden should drop out of the race. This brings the total number of Democratic lawmakers publicly questioning Biden's candidacy to nearly a dozen.
The conversation took place during a call convened by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York. Sources report that Biden's future as the party's leader was heavily scrutinized during the hour-long discussion.
While some lawmakers stopped short of explicitly calling for Biden's withdrawal, they voiced significant concerns about the Democrats' chances in November with the 81-year-old president at the top of the ticket, saying that Vice President Kamala Harris would be a better nominee.
The surge in Democratic unease follows Biden's widely criticized debate performance on June 27, which has prompted discussions among lawmakers and donors about the president's electoral viability. Polls have consistently shown that Biden's age is a top concern for voters.
Despite the growing pressure, Biden has remained defiant about calls for him to leave the race. In an interview with ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos on Friday, the president dismissed the idea of stepping aside, saying only the "Lord Almighty" could get him to reconsider.
"Look, I mean, if the Lord Almighty came down and said, 'Joe, get out of the race,' I'll get out of the race," Biden said. "The Lord Almighty's not coming down."
As the debate over Biden's candidacy continues, the Democratic Party faces a critical moment of introspection, weighing the president's experience and achievements against concerns about his age and electability in what promises to be a highly contentious 2024 election.
