U.S. President Joe Biden is holding firm in his refusal to step down from the presidential candidacy, weakening the momentum for a candidate change within the Democratic Party.
Democratic members of both houses failed to set a clear schedule for a candidate change during their meeting on the 9th (local time).
Eventually, 81-year-old Biden is likely to be formalized as the Democratic presidential candidate.
The Democratic Party plans to decide the Democratic presidential candidate through an online vote at the Democratic National Convention (DNC), which will be held in Chicago, Illinois from August 19 to 22.
If no schedule is set for a candidate change, Biden, who has already secured the candidacy through a delegate election, becomes the official Democratic presidential candidate.
Due to Biden’s stubbornness, fears are growing that the Democrats will lose the midterm elections for both houses, which will be held along with the presidential election on November 5.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that no clear plan for a candidate change emerged from the first private meeting of Democratic members of both houses after the defeat in the live debate against former President Donald Trump on June 27.
Although the members expressed their dismay at the rapidly deteriorating public opinion after the defeat, they failed to gather opinions on presenting a new candidate.
Since the members’ intentions did not converge, the Democrats are now leaving the election in Biden’s hands without a clear conclusion.
“President Biden is the candidate now,” said Pete Aguilar, a Democratic member of the House of Representatives from California. He added, “We support the Democratic candidate who will defeat Trump.”
The representatives revealed severe differences of opinion regarding candidate change after the meeting.
When asked by reporters if the Democratic members “are on the same page,” Steve Cohen of Tennessee answered, “We are not even in the same book,” suggesting a severe disagreement.
Greg Landsman of Ohio expressed high anxiety about Biden’s candidacy.
He said, “There is a sense of anxiety across the United States,” adding, “This is not the anxiety just coming from the congressman’s office, among donors, or within the Democratic Party.”
According to attendees, the atmosphere of the meeting was heavy and serious.
Smartphones and smartwatches were banned to prevent the contents of internal discussions from being leaked outside.
Members who believe Biden should step down from the candidacy tried to persuade their colleagues at the door.
However, the majority of members were on Biden’s side.
So far, only six members have publicly urged Biden to retire from the candidacy.
Some who had privately argued for a candidate change also toned down their voices.
Although the prevailing opinion supports Biden’s decision to run for the presidency, concerns remain.
Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota drew a line, saying, “It’s a matter for President Biden to decide.”
However, Smith said, “It is extremely important to continue focusing on the point that Trump must not become president again,” expressing her concerns that she “cannot help but worry” about the situation where Biden remains a candidate.
Patty Murray, a member of the party leadership and senator from Washington, emphasized the need for Biden to retire from the candidacy, stating, “He needs to seriously consider what is the best way to preserve his remarkable legacy.”
As Biden insists on maintaining his candidacy for the presidency, the Democratic Party is also worried about the possibility of losing the congressional elections.
The Democrats fear that the Republicans will become the majority party in the Senate through this election.
Currently, the Democrats surpass the Republicans’ 49 seats with 51 seats, including four independent members, but it is almost certain that the Republicans will take away the seat of Senator Joe Manchin (Democrat-West Virginia) when he retires.
The Republicans are already the majority party with 220 seats in the House of Representatives, surpassing the 213 seats held by Democrats. Currently, two seats are vacant.
The Democrats are worried about the possibility of handing over both the White House and the congressional elections to the Republicans due to Biden’s stubbornness.
