Desperation among Democrats regarding Biden is intensifying.
Some–in addition to liberal outlets like The Atlantic–have called on the president to step aside, despite Biden’s campaign continually signaling he is in it to win it.
Axios, however, has reported that a decisive answer about Biden’s political future could emerge this week due to the influence of a particularly powerful individual.
The outlet notes that all eyes are on former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), who has the stature to tell Biden to step down.
Axios said Sunday that a rapidly growing number of Democrats are urgently calling for an intervention as Biden refuses to leave the race.
They are enlisting everyone from the Obamas to congressional leaders to persuade Biden to step down by the end of this week.
Top Democrats want Biden out by Friday, hoping he will endorse Harris as his successor to prevent a fierce battle for the nomination at the Democratic Convention in Chicago.
Axios stated: “If Biden were to endorse Vice President Harris as the nominee, she’d need time to ramp up and pick a running mate.”
“And if Biden didn’t anoint, there’d be a frenzy among governors and ambitious Democrats to try to win the nomination at the Democratic convention in Chicago in mid-August.”
One House Democrat told Axios that “the sh*t is going to hit the fan on Monday when Congress returns.”
“People are scared about their own races. But they’re also worried about the country, and about democracy.”
Several House members are reportedly close to speaking out publicly or signing letters urging Biden to step down.
Four senior House Democrats urged Biden to end his reelection bid after a private call with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Sunday, Resist the Mainstream reported.
The names of these powerful Democrats included Reps. Jerry Nadler (NY), Joe Morelle (NY), Adam Smith (Wash.), and Mark Takano (Calif.).
Conversations like this will intensify this week, per Axios, and the news is breaking through outside the Beltway bubble as well.
One swing-state national lawmaker told Axios that during a monthly forum, usually focused on local issues, constituents only wanted to discuss Biden’s age.
Pelosi was asked by MSNBC on Tuesday whether she believed Biden’s poor debate performance was a one-off or a sign of more significant health issues.
“I think it’s a legitimate question to say, ‘Is this an episode or is this a condition?’ And so when people ask that question, it’s legitimate, of both candidates,” she answered.
Nadler, Morelle, Smith, and Takano join five other House Democrats who questioned Biden’s reelection prospects following his disastrous debate performance against Trump in late June.
Reps. Jim Himes (Conn.), Zoe Lofgren (Calif.), Don Beyer (VA), and Rick Larsen (Wash.) have also expressed their concerns about Biden’s chances in the upcoming election.
A top Democratic operative told Axios that the only person unaware of Biden’s precarious political position is the president himself.
The Washington Post revealed on Sunday that an adviser to major Democratic donors is saying, “for every 10 people who think he should exit, one thinks he should stay.”
Those “publicly vouching for Biden, at the behest of the White House and campaign, privately say there’s no path,” the Post added.
