Manuel Balce Senator/AP
President Joe Biden greets volunteers at his campaign office, Sunday, July 7, 2024, in Philadelphia.
Washington
CNN
—
President Joe Biden said in a letter to Democratic lawmakers on Monday that he will seek reelection despite growing concerns about his mental health and the feasibility of campaigning.
“Despite media and other speculation, I want you to know that I remain in this race, fight to the end, and am firmly committed to defeating Donald Trump,” Biden said in the letter, obtained by CNN.
Meanwhile, the president will continue to reach out to Democrats this week, a crucial week for the Democratic presidential nomination, campaign officials told CNN, with all House Democrats scheduled to meet on Tuesday to discuss growing questions about the way forward.
Congress returns to Washington on Tuesday for the first time since a June 27 debate on CNN that sparked widespread concern about whether Biden can secure a Democratic victory in the November election and hold onto another four years in office.
In the week after his brutal debate defeat, Biden reached out privately to about 20 House Democrats and met with party leaders including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Rep. James Clyburn in an effort to reassure them that their party’s concerns were being heard, a campaign aide told CNN.
Since then, Schumer and Clyburn have voiced their support for Biden, but Jeffries has remained silent.
Pelosi said the questions about Biden’s dismal performance in the presidential debate were “legitimate”.
Asked about Pelosi’s comments, Biden told ABC News: “It was a horrible event. There were no signs of any serious symptoms. He was exhausted.”
Rep. Jeffries convened a conference call with House Democratic leaders on Sunday in which six lawmakers aired their concerns, a conversation one aide described to CNN as “pretty brutal.”
According to a CNN report, these lawmakers include Reps. Jerry Nadler, Adam Smith, Mark Takano and Joe Morrell, who represent the highest-ranking Democrats on the Judiciary, Military Affairs, Veterans Affairs and House Administration committees.
Campaign officials declined to comment on whether the president had spoken directly with Sen. Mark Warner, who has led a parallel effort among like-minded senators to explore the possibility of formally calling for Biden to resign. Sources told CNN that Sen. Warner canceled a follow-up meeting scheduled for Monday night after news of his group’s activity was leaked. His next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday with Senate Democrats and their leadership.
Biden told ABC News that Warner is a “good person” but has a “different perspective.”
