President Biden recently met virtually with BOLD PAC, the political arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, in an effort to shore up support within his own party. This meeting comes on the heels of growing concerns among Democratic lawmakers following his debate performance against former President Donald Trump. During the meeting, caucus member Rep. Mike Levin made a bold statement calling on President Biden to step out of the race. Levin expressed his concerns about Biden’s performance in the debate and emphasized the need for a change in leadership.
In his public statement, Levin acknowledged President Biden’s long history of public service but ultimately concluded that it was time for him to pass the torch. This sentiment reflects a growing sentiment within the Democratic Party that Biden may not be the best candidate to lead them in the upcoming 2024 election. The call with BOLD PAC was intended to discuss the 2024 election and assess Biden’s viability as a candidate.
The concerns surrounding Biden’s candidacy have been mounting, with 17 House Democrats publicly calling for him to step down and many more expressing reservations privately. The president has been actively engaging with Democratic lawmakers in an attempt to reassure them of his capabilities and his ability to defeat Trump in the upcoming election. However, not all members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus have fully endorsed Biden, indicating a potential rift within the party.
Despite the calls for Biden to step aside, some lawmakers remain cautiously optimistic about his prospects. One Democratic lawmaker noted that some members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus are adopting a “wait and see” approach to Biden’s candidacy. They believe that Biden has performed well in recent appearances and that he will continue to demonstrate his leadership abilities in the coming days.
The formal support from the CHC for Biden’s candidacy this week provides a mixed message, with some members still hesitant to fully back him. Caucus Chair Nanette Díaz Barragán and Deputy Caucus Chair Adriano Espaillat affirmed their support for Biden, but the sentiment is not shared by all members of the caucus. The Democratic Party is closely monitoring Biden’s actions and statements, particularly after his recent press conference where he addressed concerns about his ability to defeat Trump and his overall fitness for office.
President Biden remains steadfast in his commitment to completing the job he started and has reiterated that he is not seeking reelection for his own legacy but to fulfill his duties as president. His allies and supporters are working diligently to address the growing discontent within the party and rally behind Biden as their candidate for the upcoming election. As the political landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how Biden will navigate the challenges ahead and secure the support of his party for his reelection bid.
