WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – All eyes are on Capitol Hill to see if Congressional Democrats just back from a July 4th recess will unite behind President Biden’s 2024 campaign.
Monday morning President Biden sent a rare letter directly to both House and Senate Democrats. In it he made clear he is not dropping out of this race under scoring division brewing within the party.
The Congressional Black Caucus chair threw his support behind the president. However, five House Democrats are publicly calling on the president to step aside.
“I am running. I am running,” Biden said.
Monday morning on MSNBC, the president brushed off the naysayers and in a new letter to Democratic lawmakers made the case he’s the best Democrat to defeat Donald Trump.
“I haven’t lost. I beat him last time. I’ll beat him this time,” said Biden.
Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy said questions remain even after the president’s sit-down interview Friday.
“This party wants to make sure that we are in a position to win,” said Murphy.
No Democratic senators have called on President Biden to drop out. Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal who’s backing President Biden says discussions in Washington this week will be critical.
“We’re going to be engaged in ongoing conversations as we have been over the past week or so,” said Blumenthal.
House Democrats got a head start. Sunday afternoon House leaders held an impromptu call to hear concerns.
Unlike the Senate, since the debate, a growing number of House Democrats privately and publicly say the president should drop out.
California Congressman Adam Schiff argued the race is too close.
“Given Joe Biden’s incredible record given Donald Trump’s terrible record. He should be mopping the floor with Donald Trump,” said Schiff.
President Biden is questioning polling that shows him trailing in key swing states.
A Bloomberg Morning Consult poll released over the weekend shows President Biden leading Trump in Michigan and Wisconsin.