Black Democrats are Emblematic of a House Torn over Biden

The Washington Post

19:02 JST, July 12, 2024

President Biden’s already-tenuous support among House Democrats showed further signs of fraying Thursday, as the group of lawmakers most loyal to the president descended into feuding about his future.

The Congressional Black Caucus – roughly 60 House Democrats who represent Biden’s fiercest champions – earlier this week seemed to publicly embrace the president, even before a virtual call in which he promised to have their “backs” in the same way Black Democrats have always had his. Private conversations suggested a statement of support from the crucial bloc was imminent after a faltering debate performance two weeks induced panic that the president could not beat Donald Trump in November.

But that statement never came. Following their Wednesday luncheon, many Black House Democrats started to voice private concerns about Biden’s electability and the potential downstream effects on vulnerable lawmakers running in swing districts, four people familiar with the discussions said.

And there was increased finger-pointing at the White House and those in Biden’s orbit who members believe are not properly guiding the president by refusing to focus on issues that would resonate in their districts and help solidify support for Biden. Some are suggesting staff changes should be made.

“I think there are individuals inside the CBC who are concerned about things taking place at the White House – both things that are taking place and are not taking place – but that’s not a division,” Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II (D-Mo.) said in a brief interview. “Look, the White House has got to get it together. That may be a universal CBC position, and maybe even a Democratic caucus position.”

The increasing worry stemming from Biden’s most important base is indicative of the volatile situation on Capitol Hill, where a growing number of Democratic lawmakers are calling on the president to abandon his reelection bid. Senior Biden campaign aides arrived on the Hill on Thursday midday to brief Democratic senators – only one of whom, Peter Welch (D-Vt.) – has explicitly called on Biden to step aside. Many members said they wanted to see how Biden performed in a rare news conference on Thursday evening before casting judgment.

If Biden dramatically underperforms, there is an expectation that several House Democrats will release statements calling on the president to step aside, according to four people familiar with the plans, who, like others, were granted anonymity to discuss private deliberations.

There were no big changes after the Senate lunch in which senior Biden aides outlined their theory of the case outlined in a memo shared with supporters pointing out a “blue wall” states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania and dismiss polling shifts post-debate. “In addition to what we believe is a clear pathway ahead for us, there is also no indication that anyone else would outperform the president vs. Trump,” the campaign wrote.

There is a resounding belief among House Democrats – that was echoed in multiple wishy-washy statements this week – that Biden must make a decision on his campaign’s future on his own without much public pressure.

The split among House Democrats stems from how different flanks of the caucus define the historic moment as being bigger than Biden. Those with overwhelming concern about his electability privately say that Biden must recognize that preserving democracy and ensuring Trump does not win the White House is bigger than his personal ambitions.

“We are faced with a stark choice: be resigned to slog through this election praying we can successfully defend our democracy, or enthusiastically embrace a vibrant vision for our future, building on the extraordinary foundation President Biden has created for our nation over the past four years. I choose the latter,” Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) said. He was the second House Democrat to come out against Biden alongside Rep. Hillary J. Scholten (D-Mich.) on Thursday.

Rather than issue public statements, some House Democrats are sending their concerns straight to Biden’s orbit, according to two people familiar with the communications.

Several Black Democrats denied on Thursday that there were deep divisions within the CBC.

Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (D-N.Y.) – the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus PAC and the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee – has been leading a group of Black Democrats who have expressed private concerns about Biden’s ability to remain at the top of the ticket. Meeks believes that Biden and his aides need to better engage CBC members and other lawmakers on what it takes to win battleground states, said two people who have spoken to CBC members this week, who, like others in the story, were spoke anonymously to share private conversations.

“Chairman Meeks has never dissuaded anyone from supporting the resident,” said a spokesperson for the CBC PAC. “In fact, he has said in public what he’s said in private: President Biden has a strong record of delivering for the American people and a strong record to run on, however, after the debate the president has to demonstrate he has the energy and stamina to perform the job. The Chairman hopes he demonstrates exactly that and believes members should give the President the space to do so and make their decisions from there.”

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), who has publicly supported Biden and is a member of the CBC, is in a difficult spot. It would be hard for him to cross a key group in a public setting, according to multiple lawmakers and aides. Many members throughout the caucus, however, with concerns about Biden feel that the minority leader understands them.

The House’s old guard of leadership – former speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) and James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.) – have subtly made public statements on the paths Biden might consider. But the current, new generation of House leaders are in a more difficult spot as they continue to listen to members with wildly varying opinions.

Jeffries and his leadership lieutenants have told members they should run their own races, with or without Biden, according to three people involved in those conversations. Pelosi has been more blunt in private conversations, those people said, telling frontliners it’s probably best if they come out against Biden – though she counseled waiting until the NATO conference ended on Friday.

Jeffries telegraphed his plans in two separate meetings this week, according to two people familiar with them. Jeffries must balance the cheerleading for Biden among Black Democrats, many of whom hail from safe seats, with accurately representing the concerns of front line Democrats who represent districts that are much more competitive. Whether Biden leads the ticket, and how much of a drag he will be, will also determine whether he has a shot of becoming speaker in the narrowly divided House.

In those meetings, according to multiple people familiar with them, vulnerable Democrats were incredibly tough on Biden in what was described as an emotional, candid and somber setting. Members were unequivocal that Biden would need to step aside or he could ultimately risk their reelection chances, and possibly Jeffries from becoming speaker.

Many believe they will automatically be in better political shape if of Vice President Harris becomes the nominee because she would immediately eliminate the age question, besides help Democrats get the conversation back to defeating Trump.

“We have no path to take back the House if Biden stays at the top of the ticket,” a senior Democratic aide said.

Other key factions besides the CBC are divided. The congressional Hispanic Caucus is so divided over how to approach Biden’s electability that it also has not released a group statement. Chairwoman Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.) and deputy chair Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.) released a joint statement earlier this week in support of Biden after the group met, which irritated several members.

“On something this controversial, she should have checked with members before making any statement using her CHC title,” one Democratic members said.