Democrats are holding Biden campaign meetings after Trump’s debate

Rep. Mickey Sherrill of New Jersey on Tuesday became the latest Democratic lawmaker to publicly urge President Joe Biden to end his re-election bid and allow a new candidate to challenge former President Donald Trump.

“When I think of my four children and all the rights that are at risk from another Trump presidency, and in light of the recent Supreme Court decision that gave too much power to the President of the United States, the stakes are very high – and the threat is too real – to keep quiet,” Cheryl said in a statement.

“And because I know that President Biden cares deeply about the future of our country, I’m asking him to declare that he will not run for re-election and help lead us through a process toward a new candidate,” he said.

Sherrill is the seventh House Democrat to openly call for Biden’s resignation and the ninth overall. according to the NBC News account.

Her statement came hours after House Democrats gathered at their national party headquarters in Washington for a key meeting as members consider whether to continue supporting Biden’s beleaguered campaign or seek to replace him.

Lawmakers did not have access to their phones during the closed-door session, which marked the first time the full caucus met since Biden’s disastrous debate against Trump in June sparked a full-blown campaign crisis.

Several members declined to answer reporters’ questions as they left the building after Tuesday morning’s meeting.

“I promised I wouldn’t talk at all about what was said,” Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill., told NBC News as he left.

When a reporter asked Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., if Democrats were on the same page, Cohen replied, “No … we’re not even in the same book.”

Cohen also told an Axios reporter some members at the caucus meeting he said Biden should retire. A representative for Cohen did not respond to CNBC’s request to confirm this comment.

Senate Democrats held their own meeting on Capitol Hill Tuesday afternoon.

Biden’s weak, sharp appearance at the debate sent Democrats into a panic, prompting some top donors, pundits and allies to openly urge Biden, 81, to drop his bid for another four years in office.

Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., who also called on Biden to drop out, said Tuesday that he now supports the incumbent.

“I fully support him. I plan to campaign for him. And it’s important that he wins.” Nadler said.

However, Rep. Lori Trahan, D-Mass., expressed deep reservations about continuing to run for Biden.

“Since the debate, I’ve met with other Biden voters in Massachusetts who have real concerns about the President’s ability to defeat Donald Trump. I share those concerns,” Trahan, the co-chairman of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, told NBC. statement on Tuesday.

“While President Biden has made it clear that he feels he is the best candidate to win this election, nothing that has happened in the last twelve days suggests that voters see things the same way,” Trahan said.

“A second Trump presidency will do irreparable damage to women and our country, and President Biden must act urgently to restore American confidence so we can win in November.”

Overall, however, only a handful of Democratic lawmakers have called for a change at the top of the ticket — a highly risky move less than four months from Election Day.

Biden has rejected calls to step down, saying he believes he is still the best person to run against Trump in the presidential election. He has worked since the debate to shore up support from key blocs, including the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

“I stand with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and we’re going to continue to do the work that needs to be done,” Congresswoman Nanette Barragan, D-Calif., told MSNBC after the debate. meeting on Tuesday morning.

Barragan described that meeting as “a family conversation to hear from our colleagues,” but added, “these are private conversations.”

Democratic leaders issued brief statements of support for the Biden-Harris ticket.

“I made it clear publicly the day after the debate that I support President Joe Biden and the Democratic ticket. My position has not changed,” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York told reporters Monday night.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has said he supports Biden.

Outside the Democratic National Committee building, a handful of protesters, dressed in sunglasses and suits, held overhead signs asking: “Is Joe Biden fit for office?”

The protesters said they were from the Republican National Campaign Committee, Politico reported.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the state represented by Rep. Jerry Nadler. He represents New York.