Biden holds ‘tense’ call with centrist Democrats

REHOBOTH, DEL. —  President Biden held a “tense” call with centrist House lawmakers on Saturday as he struggles to stop the flow of lawmakers calling for him to step aside from the 2024 ticket.

A source on the Zoom call with members of the centrist New Democrat Coalition described it as “tense,” and said lawmakers felt “really dismayed” with the president’s presentation and lack of strategy, and felt he was not prepared for questions he was asked. The source characterized Biden’s answers to questions as rambling.

The source said the most notable exchange occurred when Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) referenced voter concerns about Biden being “at the helm when they go to sleep at night.” At that point, the source added, “Biden ripped him.”

“The exchange with Jason Crow was hard to watch,” the source said.

A source familiar with the call characterized Biden’s response as “tense” and “defensive.”

The Hill obtained a transcript of Crow’s full question to the president, which focused on national security concerns among voters.

“National security is a major issue in this campaign. Americans want a commander in chief who can project strength, vigor, and inspire confidence at home and abroad. They need to feel that you have the helm when they go to bed each night,” Crow said, according to the transcript. “Despite your many successes and the dangers of Trump, we are seeing overwhelming evidence in our districts that many voters are losing  confidence you can do this in a second term. It’s not fair, but it’s true.”

“The group on this zoom have run the toughest races in the country and many of us know without a major change we are facing a lose in November,” he continued. “The status quo won’t  work. Focusing just on Trump won’t work. Focusing on our accomplishments won’t work. What major change to your campaign do you propose?”

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) asked a question after Crow, the source said, which Biden interrupted at one point. The president then told members he had to go to mass at roughly 5:02 p.m. 

The president held the calls with lawmakers from his beach house in Rehoboth, Del. The mass the president attended in Rehoboth was at 5:30 p.m. and he left his house at 5:36 p.m. to attend.

Rep. Ann McLane Kuster (D-N.H.), the chair of the New Democrat Coalition, which is composed of roughly 100 lawmakers, said the group “had a candid, respectful and productive conversation with the President about how to win over disaffected voters and boost turn out in swing districts.”

“As the majority makers, we are united around our goal of winning back the House and asked the President to focus on the future and reassure voters about Democrats’ ability to win in November,” Kuster said in a statement.

“Moving forward we expect President Biden to do everything in his power to demonstrate to the American people that Democrats will keep the White House and flip the House in November,” she added.

Biden’s call with the New Democrat Coalition was one of a string of conversations he has had with groups of lawmakers on Capitol Hill as he tries to drum up support for his re-election campaign after last month’s lackluster debate performance.

Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) traveled to Rehoboth to meet with Biden on Saturday, the senator said in a statement. Schumer described the meeting as “good.”

Also, ahead of the call with the New Democrats Coalition, Biden spoke with members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. He asked them for help and advice and teased that he has a “major” Supreme Court reform policy coming, according to a source familiar.

Eighteen House Democrats have publicly called on Biden to step aside as the nominee, while several others have expressed concerns about his ability to beat Trump in November.

He spoke on Friday with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) in meetings arranged through each group’s campaign arm. And, he spoke with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) Thursday night.

Updated: 6:58 p.m. on July 14