Democratic operatives believe President Joe Biden has effectively "ended a coup in the crib" by convincing party officials that pulling him from the ticket would effectively gift wrap the election to former President Donald Trump .
"There just isn't enough time. Vice President Harris has been polling better as of late, but four months is simply too short for her to reverse her perception among independents amid the tsunami of negative ads Trump and Republicans would run if she succeeds Biden this year," one Democratic strategist told the Washington Examiner.
The 81-year-old president, building on his outreach to senior party leaders last week, made noticeable progress Monday toward convincing his party not to dump him, even if he has a ways to go before privately squashing questions about his personal faculties. One Democratic lawmaker, Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), openly called for his replacement on Tuesday, bringing that total up to six since the debate.
Biden's progress on Monday can be attributed to a much more aggressive stance on the issue, which saw him twice pressure congressional Democrats to line up behind him, including a sternly worded letter sent to the full caucus and a lengthy conference call with the Congressional Black Caucus in the evening. "The question of how to move forward has been well-aired for over a week now," the president wrote. "It’s time for it to end. We have one job. And that is to beat Donald Trump."
“We have 42 days to the Democratic Convention and 119 days to the general election,” he said. “Any weakening of resolve or lack of clarity about the task ahead only helps Trump and hurts us. It is time to come together, move forward as a united party, and defeat Donald Trump.”
The president also took a note from his predecessor and launched an extremely public attack against party "elites" during an interview on MSNBC's Morning Joe . "I’m getting so frustrated by the elites," the president angrily groused to hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski. "With any of these guys who don’t think I should run — run against me. Go ahead, announce for president. Challenge me at the convention."
Furthermore, the White House took a step they've previously taken just once a year, in releasing a memo from White House physician Kevin O'Connor answering questions about Biden's health.
Earlier in the day, the White House press briefing grew extremely heated when White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre refused to answer questions about a Parkinson's disease expert, Dr. Kevin Cannard, potentially treating the president. Public logs had shown Cannard visiting the White House eight times in eight months dating back to last summer.
O'Connor's memo backed up Jean-Pierre's statements from the briefing, writing that Cannard's visits were dedicated to treating other patients. O'Connor did confirm, however, that Cannard had performed neurological exams on Biden during his previous annual physical exams at Walter Reed National Military Medical Hospital in Maryland.
"Prior to the pandemic, and following its end, he has held regular neurology clinics at the White House Medical Clinic in support of the thousands of active-duty members assigned in support of White House operations," the White House physician stated. "We value the contributions he has made across the many patients he has treated in support of the White House and its personnel over these years."
CBC Chairman Steven Horsford (D-NV) would go on to throw his full support behind the president following the caucus call Monday evening, and Biden also picked up semi-endorsements from Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Ilhan Omar (D-MN) — two of the most influential progressives on Capitol Hill.
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"I have spoken to the president over the weekend. I have spoken with him extensively," Ocasio-Cortez told reporters on Monday. "He made clear then — and he has made clear since — that he is in this race."
"The matter is closed," she continued. "Joe Biden is our nominee. He is not leaving this race. He is in this race, and I support him."
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