WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump is hitting the campaign trail again at his flagship Miami golf resort as Democrats grapple with tough decisions regarding President Joe Biden ’s chances for reelection.
Following his lackluster debate performance, Democrats have been debating whether the 81-year-old Biden should stay as the party’s nominee. As nervous congressional Democrats returned to Washington contemplating whether to energize his campaign or look for a replacement, Biden stood firm on Monday against calls for him to drop out of the race.
Against this backdrop of intense political drama, NATO leaders are gathering in Washington starting Tuesday for a summit marking the organization’s 75th year. The primary focus of the summit is for NATO leaders to show support for Ukraine in its conflict against Russia, but for Biden, the summit has become a way to demonstrate his ability to handle the demands of the presidency for another four years.
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The Latest:
Mental fitness vs. moral fitness?
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont is standing by Biden, but expresses concerns about the election discussions focusing on Biden’s mental fitness.
Lamont, who was one of the first governors to endorse Biden in the 2020 election, mentioned on Tuesday that Biden is “just getting started with his agenda.”
However, Lamont also acknowledged worries about Biden’s candidacy.
“I do worry that we’re going to spend the whole time talking about President Biden’s mental fitness, and we’re not taking the battle to Donald Trump and talking about his moral fitness,” he said.
Harris headlining outreach to Asian American voters
Vice President Kamala Harris will join former “Top Chef” host Padma Lakshmi at an event in Las Vegas on Tuesday.
This marks the beginning of a formal outreach campaign targeted at Asian American voters by President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign this week.
Harris, the first person of South Asian descent to serve as vice president, is set to deliver a keynote address on Saturday at a town hall in Philadelphia hosted by APIAVote, an advocacy group.
The Biden campaign has already launched coalition groups focusing on Black voters and Latino voters.
Dour room
One attendee of the Democratic meeting described the environment as gloomy.
There is a growing concern that Biden’s continued presence in the race will shift the election focus to Biden’s age rather than Trump, according to the anonymous source.
However, the source also mentioned that Democrats are worried Biden might be too entrenched to be replaced, and there could be legal obstacles to changing the candidate so close to the election.
A fighting spirit, but can he win?
Some Democrats who have publicly called for the president to step aside seemed even more resolute, but not all.
“The fighting spirit and pride and courage that served the country so well four years ago, that helped Joe Biden win, will bring the ticket down this time,” said Rep. Mike Quigley from Illinois.
“He just has to step down because he can’t win,” Quigley stated.
However, Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York appeared to change his stance after previously suggesting privately that Biden should withdraw.
“He is going to be our nominee, and we all have to support him,” Nadler said.
‘Not even in the same book’
Democrats had differing opinions following their nearly two-hour discussion, with some believing the party is unified and others leaving more unsettled.
Rep. Steven Cohen of Tennessee had a striking response when asked if the session brought the party on the same page.
“We are not even in the same book,” Cohen remarked.
Others, like Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, stated that the caucus is united behind Biden as their nominee.
Mayors are next
up for Biden
The president will continue his personal outreach to various factions of the Democratic Party on Tuesday night.
He will engage in a virtual meeting with mayors across the country, as per sources familiar with the plans.
Biden plans to deliver remarks and address questions from the mayors.
This is similar to engagements he had with members of the Congressional Black Caucus and campaign donors on Monday.
Biden very effective in meetings, Yellen says
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen praised Biden’s performance on Tuesday.
During a House Financial Services Committee hearing, she was asked by a Republican Congress member if she had noticed any signs of “cognitive or mental decline.”
“The president is extremely effective in the meetings I’ve been in with him,” Yellen responded.
“That includes many international meetings that are multi-hour, like his meetings with President Xi.”
She mentioned that there had been no discussions among cabinet secretaries about invoking the 25th Amendment, which deals with presidential removal.
Harris heads to Vegas
Vice President Kamala Harris departed from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Tuesday, heading west for a series of campaign events in Las Vegas.
Harris will engage with and rally voters in Las Vegas and Dallas this week.
She is receiving increased attention among Democrats considering her potential as a replacement for Biden, who is resisting calls to step aside.
Dems gather for ‘family’ chat
House Democrats convened for a closed-door “family” discussion early Tuesday.
Tensions remain high regarding the 2024 election and President Joe Biden’s candidacy.
No cell phones. No leaks. Just what Caucus Chairman Rep. Pete Aguilar described as a family chat among lawmakers.
So far, Biden’s supporters have been the most vocal following the over an hour-long discussion. However, discontent persists behind the scenes.
