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.

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Throughout Joe Biden's presidency, there have been persistent claims that he is being "managed" by a group of advisors and Democratic leaders who not only support him but potentially steer his policies. The frequent calls from former President Barack Obama to the White House have fueled this perception, suggesting that Biden's tenure is effectively Obama's third term – albeit a far more radical one.

Now, in light of the incumbent president's recent on-air stumble, it seems the proverbial smoking gun has been found. The president is functioning at a subpar level, while an extreme progressive group, led by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, is driving US foreign policy. None of the issues concerning American citizens and those of other nations, such as Israel and Ukraine, are being adequately addressed or resolved.

In a world rife with aggressive forces, the unflattering image of an American president – the leader of the free world – appearing weak and incoherent encourages them to exploit opportunities. Biden's decline mirrors the collapse of his Middle East policy vis-à-vis Iran and its proxies, as well as the incomprehensible crisis at the southern border with Mexico. This porous region is drawing millions of migrants of all types into the United States, including criminal and terrorist elements.

Now, in light of the incumbent president's recent on-air stumble, it seems the proverbial smoking gun has been found. The president is functioning at a subpar level, while an extreme progressive group, led by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, is driving US foreign policy. None of the issues concerning American citizens and those of other nations, such as Israel and Ukraine, are being adequately addressed or resolved.

Donald Trump didn't gain supporters following the televised confrontation early Friday morning. But Biden lost a great deal, according to the veteran Fox News commentator Bret Baier's simple summary. For many months, the question of whether Biden will actually be the Democratic presidential nominee has loomed large. Nikki Haley repeatedly stated that he won't be. Speculation abounds – if not him, then who? The situation has deteriorated to the point where New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman is pleading with Biden to step aside. A sad sight to use a word Trump is so fond of.

Serious reporters with extensive Biden coverage have repeatedly claimed that Biden is self-confident and doesn't entertain the thought of withdrawing from the race. Too arrogant, too stubborn. Even now, he justified his failure with the excuse that it's difficult to contend with a liar. Leaders are expected to deal with other leaders who are far worse than "liars" – mass murderers, for instance.

There was a point when it seemed that former President Obama and his allies in the foreign relations establishment and the party were comfortable having a president who was weak in many respects in the White House. This situation invites evasion of responsibility. Every mishap is filed away as an event that Biden can't be expected to handle. Conversely, those responsible for strategic blunders are not called to account.

The case of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stands out, where contact with him was lost until it was discovered he was hospitalized, and President Biden was completely unaware. The Defense Secretary! A person supposed to be responsible for world peace takes his hands off the wheel. Perhaps this is what Trump alluded to when he spoke about Biden not firing any generals.

The Democrats' problem now is that they have no candidate who can motivate their voters to turn out en masse at the polls or make an effort to fill out early voting ballots. Not even Biden himself. Kamala Harris intimidates people; California Governor Gavin Newsom hasn't logged enough miles on the national stage. And Michelle Obama? It seems too late for her to suddenly jump into the boiling political cauldron.

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