Tide beginning to turn in Biden’s favor — for now
by Mike Lillis, Mychael Schnell and Amie Parnes - 07/09/24 6:53 PM ET
Democrats on Capitol Hill are coalescing — comfortably or not — behind the idea of keeping President Biden as their 2024 nominee despite a disastrous debate performance last month that prompted calls for him to bow out.
At a private meeting of the House Democratic Caucus on Tuesday, an overwhelming majority of lawmakers voiced their support for the president, with some hailing his leadership chops and others simply acknowledging the reality that primary voters have already made him the inevitable nominee.
Across the Capitol, Senate Democrats aired their own concerns about Biden’s chances against former President Trump during a closed-door lunch, but none called for him to be replaced as the nominee.
And at least one Democratic lawmaker who had previously opposed Biden’s candidacy, Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), reversed course Tuesday.
The combination suggests that, almost two weeks after Biden’s shaky debate performance, the tide is beginning to turn for the president, who has been fiercely defiant in rejecting any hint that he quit the contest over doubts about his age, health and ability to defeat Trump in November.
“It’s certainly a better day than some of the ones he’s had before,” said Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.). “It’s moving in the right direction.”
“I feel we’ve hit a turning point,” echoed Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.). “It’s been 10, 11 days or so since the debate and it’s time to move on. And I think that’s where many more members are today than they were last week.”
Biden has also locked down support from key veteran lawmakers and large constituencies in the chamber. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), the former Democratic majority leader, said he is “absolutely” still backing the president. Scores of members from the Congressional Black Caucus and Congressional Hispanic Caucus said they are standing with Biden through November. And Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.), who has left the door open to a Vice President Harris run, told reporters that Biden has vast support in the caucus.
“We’re ridin’ with Biden,” Clyburn said after the House meeting.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4762954-biden-democrats-tide-turning/