‘This was not sustainable,’ a senior House Democrat leadership source said after the Biden-Trump debate
In a significant move, the Democratic Party is shifting its focus from the presidency to saving seats down-ballot following President Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 race. This decision is seen as a strategic maneuver to potentially salvage control of the House of Representatives rather than solely aiming to defeat former President Trump.
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Recent polling indicates that Vice President Kamala Harris does not fare significantly better against Trump than Biden. However, the Democrats believe that Harris might perform just well enough to protect vulnerable seats and possibly flip the House.
Currently, the Republicans hold 220 seats to the Democrats’ 213, with two vacancies. Flipping a handful of seats would allow Democrats to reclaim the House.
Over the past year and a half, Democrats have criticized Republicans for their tumultuous management of the House. The lengthy process to elect former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and the chaotic events leading to the election of current House Speaker Mike Johnson have given Democrats ample material to work with. Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert’s controversial actions have also been highlighted.
With Biden considered a liability, the Democratic Party’s focus has shifted to whether Vice President Harris can lead the charge. As the House reconvenes, expect a wave of questions directed at Democrats regarding their support for Harris or potential alternative candidates.
Notably, senior Democratic leaders like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have refrained from endorsing any candidate, opting instead to observe how the situation unfolds.
Jim Clyburn, the former House Majority Whip, who played a pivotal role in Biden’s 2020 campaign, has shifted his support to Harris. The Congressional Black Caucus PAC has endorsed Harris, although the Caucus itself has remained silent following Biden’s poor debate performance in June.
The endorsement dynamics within the Democratic Party are complex. Harris’s support base includes the House Progressive Caucus and several members of the Squad, such as Reps. Ayanna Pressley and Cori Bush. The New Dems Coalition, representing mainstream to moderate Democrats, has also endorsed Harris.
The push against Biden has been a slow-building wave, with a senior House Democratic leadership source revealing that the situation had become “unsustainable.” The source criticized those close to Biden for not serving him well.
Schumer’s recent meeting with Biden in Rehoboth, Delaware, has further fueled speculation. Schumer’s statement about the meeting came just before former President Trump’s shooting incident in Pennsylvania on July 13, which temporarily halted the growing calls for Biden to step down.
Republicans have seized this moment to question Biden’s capability to serve out his term, with House Speaker Mike Johnson asserting that Biden should resign if he is unfit to run. This sentiment is expected to gain traction among Republicans, potentially leading to hearings and investigations into Biden’s cognitive abilities.
Republicans will likely target Democrats in competitive races, probing their knowledge of Biden’s condition and their stance on Harris. Candidates like Sen. Tammy Baldwin, who supports Harris, and Sen. Bob Casey, who has not endorsed her, will be scrutinized.
As Democrats prepare for their convention next month, they have the advantage of “last chance,” akin to a home team in hockey, allowing them to respond strategically to the Republicans’ lineup. The Democrats might consider a variety of candidates, including governors like Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania or Andy Beshear of Kentucky, or even a combination of new faces.
With their convention on the horizon, the Democrats have a crucial opportunity to recalibrate and choose a candidate who can unify the party and present a formidable challenge to the Republicans.