Scoop: Biden rebels in Congress see their revolt crumbling
President Biden in Philadelphia, Pa. on July 7, 2024. Photo: Hannah Beier/Bloomberg via Getty Images.
Just before House Democrats' Tuesday morning "come-to-Jesus" meeting on President Biden's path forward, a smaller group of swing-district Democrats held what sources described as a despondent gathering with "actual tears."
Why it matters: The bloc of battleground House Democrats is one of the last firm pockets of a rapidly disintegrating movement on Capitol Hill to get Biden off the ticket.
- One shell-shocked lawmaker who was present at the meeting would offer only one word to characterize it: "Intense."
- Another described the mood as "pretty much unanimous" that Biden has "got to step down," adding, "There were actual tears from people, and not for Biden."
Zoom out: Democrats' full caucus meeting was far less unanimous, with lawmakers both defending Biden and airing concerns about his ability to take on former President Trump, attendees told Axios.
- One House Democrat who was in both meetings said: "Most of our caucus is still with him ... meaning he'll stay in. Which sucks for our country."
- Going in and out of the meeting, several House Democrats who have previously raised concerns about Biden said they are now with him: "Whether or not I have concerns is besides the point. He is going to be our nominee, and we all have to support him," said Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.).
State of play: Biden enjoyed his first sustained show of support on Capitol Hill on Monday, with dozens of House and Senate Democrats saying publicly they support him staying on the ticket.
- On Monday evening, Biden joined a call with Congressional Black Caucus members, his strongest base of support on Capitol Hill, to cement their backing.
- Late Monday night, a House Democrat who is deeply skeptical of Biden acknowledged to Axios that Democrats were "folding all over the place" and "becoming resigned to Biden holding all the cards here, and us having no real say in the matter."
- "As someone who wanted the reckoning and is really disappointed that it's over, trust me: it's over," the lawmaker added.
Zoom in: Biden's letter to congressional Democrats on Monday morning stating firmly he is staying in the race and telling them to "end" discussion of him withdrawing appears to have galvanized lawmakers.
- Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), one of a half-dozen House Democrats who have urged Biden to drop out, conceded to Axios: "He clearly did a preemptive effort to try to discourage any questions ... with his letter."
- "I think there is a pretty strong consensus we need to close ranks," said Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), who has publicly raised grave concerns about Biden's political strength.
- "When there's this kind of show of force, it's hard to imagine people are going to speak up against him," said one House Democrat.
- Said another: "They've outflanked us."
The bottom line: After the full caucus meeting on Tuesday, the lawmaker who told Axios on Monday night that the revolt is "over" said the gathering only confirmed that view.
- "There were no surprises there," the lawmaker said.