Democrats in Congress are set to meet behind closed doors on Tuesday amid growing concerns about their chances in the upcoming November 5 election, after President Joe Biden's firm rejection of calls from some party members to end his campaign.
Although only a handful of House Democrats have publicly urged the 81-year-old president to step aside, many others have expressed worries about Biden's viability as a candidate after a shaky debate performance raised doubts about his ability to run a successful campaign and handle the demands of the presidency for another four and a half years.
This internal discord has forced the Biden campaign to act swiftly to prevent further defections. In a phone interview with MSNBC on Monday, Biden declared, "I'm not going anywhere," a sentiment he reiterated in a private call with donors later that day, according to Reuters.
Biden also made several campaign stops in Pennsylvania on Sunday, a key battle state. Vice President Kamala Harris, who is widely seen as Biden's likely successor if he were to step down, has also been actively campaigning on his behalf.
Democratic Representative Joe Morelle from New York reported that his constituents voiced declining confidence in Biden following his poor performance in the June 27 debate against Trump.
"They need more assurance that he can continue to do the job. Just telling them isn't enough. He needs to demonstrate it," Morelle said, suggesting that more public appearances where Biden answers voter questions could help alleviate their concerns.
House Democrats are particularly worried that Biden's difficulties could harm their chances of gaining a majority in the chamber, which is currently controlled by Republicans with a 220-213 margin.
Maintaining control of the House could be crucial for Democrats as a counterbalance against Trump if he wins the presidency.