Updated 03.10 | Published at 03:00
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full screen President Joe Biden arrives at the White House with his wife Jill Biden after campaigning in Pennsylvania on Sunday. Photo: Susan Walsh/AP/TT
The division within the Democrats remains deep.
More and more party members are said to want to see Biden give way to a fitter presidential candidate ahead of the fall election.
Leading Democrats in the House of Representatives met digitally on Sunday to discuss the situation that arose after Joe Biden’s criticized debate performance against Donald Trump last week.
Several Democratic committee leaders – including Jerry Nadler of New York, Jim Himes of Connecticut and Mark Takano of California – are said to have said during the meeting that Biden should step aside, two sources told AP.
At the same time, other top Democrats are said to have expressed their support for the president.
Over the weekend, Biden has personally called around to party colleagues before work resumes in Congress, after a break due to the National Day celebration.
– I absolutely believe we can turn it around, said Senator Alex Padilla, California, one of those who received a call from the president.
Five Democratic members of the House of Representatives have previously publicly demanded that the president step aside. They have expressed concern that Biden would not have the clout to challenge rival Donald Trump in November.
But Biden remains adamant that he is the most qualified candidate to take the fight.
– Quite frankly, I have never been more optimistic about the future of the United States if we stick together, Biden said in connection with a visit to a church service in a church in Philadelphia on Sunday.