House Dems' 'sad' venting session yields no clear path forward on Biden's future

House Democrats spent Tuesday greeting privately venting to each different astir President Joe Biden's future. It near them nary person to resolving nan divided that has consumed their party.

In a closed-door caucus gathering hosted astatine Democrats' run headquarters, progressively distressed Democrats said candidly to each different for nan first clip since Biden's unnerving statement performance. Several lawmakers who person already called for Biden to measurement speech made their case, provoking a larger artifact of nan caucus that believes Democrats request to enactment agreed down nan president, according to astir a half-dozen members successful nan room.

“It’s nan stupidest point I’ve ever seen,” said Biden-backer Rep. Juan Vargas (D-Calif.), who called nan president's critics a “circular firing squad.”

Closely watched House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries opened nan backstage gathering pinch remarks astir unity, according to 1 member, who interpreted those comments arsenic support for Biden. But nan New Yorker said small nan remainder of nan meeting, allowing members to walk astir of nan clip speaking to each different connected unfastened mics. Another personification briefed connected nan meeting, granted anonymity to talk backstage matters, described nan temper arsenic "sad and frustrated."

Jeffries’ message, according to Rep. Chuy Garcia (D-Ill.), was to “stay together” and “listen to each other."

Many Democrats had hoped nan gathering mightiness supply immoderate clarity connected a way guardant for nan party, arsenic lawmakers person grappled pinch which prime would beryllium worse for their November prospects: sticking pinch Biden aliases tossing him aside. The continued authorities of limbo has exacerbated soul frustrations, arsenic members interest their chances of some flipping nan House and keeping twice-impeached Donald Trump retired of nan White House are increasing worse.

“Democrats are waking up to nan truth that we're going to person a very reliable election, and it doesn't matter who our nominee is. This is going to beryllium a dogfight successful November,” said Rep. Lou Correa (D-Calif.), who is powerfully backing Biden. “The campaigner that nan voters chose is who we person arsenic a candidate.”

Asked astir whether Democrats had reached a statement connected a way forward, Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.) said: “I deliberation that's difficult to tell. You’re gonna get group connected some sides that are getting up to speak. So I don't deliberation that location was a wide consensus.”

Democrats who tried to reason that Biden should measurement down from nan summons included Reps. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) and Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), who later told reporters he is concerned astir Biden “dragging nan summons down.” All 3 person already publically called connected Biden to driblet retired of nan race.

Still, astir of nan voices astatine nan gathering were successful support of nan president. But nan soul disagreement was connected afloat show — and galore much are still harboring backstage doubts.

Senate Democrats will person their ain family gathering Tuesday afternoon, though it's doubtful they'll person immoderate much luck connected charting a way forward. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will steer that chat of his caucus, respective of whom person voiced their ain concerns astir Biden’s electability. No Democratic senators person called connected Biden to measurement aside.

Biden has been moving to fastener down support crossed nan Capitol successful caller days. He met virtually pinch nan Congressional Black Caucus — his deepest good of support successful nan Capitol — connected Monday night. The group has remained immoderate of Biden’s closest friends amid broader questions astir his candidacy.

“My individual takeaway is that Joe Biden has tremendous support from nan Democratic caucus, and we're going to move forward,” said Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), a elder personnel of nan Black Caucus.

Asked astir really nan statement moves forward, however, Johnson didn't person a clear answer.

“I don't cognize really our activity will grip this. But I do cognize that we will beryllium making a determination aliases corporate determination and past we will move forward," he said.