As the dust settles on the recent presidential debate, the Democratic Party finds itself at a crossroads. Amidst the fallout from President Joe Biden’s widely criticized performance, influential voices within the party are acknowledging the need for “honest and serious” discussions about the path forward.
In a revealing interview with MSNBC’s Ali Velshi, Rep. Jamie Raskin candidly admitted that “very honest, and serious and rigorous conversations” are underway within the Democratic Party regarding Biden’s political future. Raskin’s remarks represent a significant departure from the party’s public messaging, which has largely focused on defending the president’s debate showing as a mere “setback” that does not disqualify him from running.
Read: Poll Shows Majority Of Voters Want To Throw Biden Overboard Following Disastrous Debate
While House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries acknowledged that Biden’s debate performance was “underwhelming,” he maintained that “a setback is nothing more than a setup for a comeback.” However, Raskin’s comments suggest that the party’s private deliberations are far more nuanced and critical.
Raskin emphasized that regardless of Biden’s ultimate decision, the Democratic Party will remain unified. He noted that Biden would continue to be “the figure that we rally around to move forward and beat the forces of authoritarianism and reaction in the country.”
This statement implies that the party is considering contingency plans, should Biden opt not to run or be replaced as the nominee.
According to NBC News reports, the Democratic Party is grappling with growing concerns about Biden’s campaign performance. Some lawmakers have even gone so far as to suggest the need for an “open convention and a new Democratic nominee,” though none have publicly attached their names to these sentiments.
Read: Dem Megadonors Wanted To Hold Intervention, Convince Biden To Step Down After Debate Implosion
As the debate fallout continued to reverberate, Biden retreated to Camp David for a weekend with his family. While the trip was planned prior to the debate, it was widely speculated that the president would use this time to discuss the future of his campaign with his loved ones.
Biden’s debate performance, marked by moments of confusion and difficulty in articulating his points, has been a source of concern for many within the party. The president’s hoarse voice and apparent struggles only exacerbated the situation, leading to agonizing reactions from viewers and commentators.
Despite the campaign’s claims of a post-debate fundraising surge, the president continues to trail his opponent, former President Donald Trump, in several key battleground states.
The campaign’s manager, Jen O’Malley Dixon, has acknowledged the close nature of the race, while maintaining that the team is prepared to “do the work to win hard races.”
The Democratic Party’s primary process earlier this year, which saw no prominent challengers to Biden’s nomination, has only added to the unease. With no debates held and Biden winning the vast majority of delegates, some party members are now questioning the wisdom of this decision.
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