President Joe Biden had a tense exchange with Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) during a wider call with Democratic lawmakers about the president's electability over the weekend.
Crow, a retired Army Ranger and Bronze Star recipient, has been a staunch supporter of the president, though he expressed his concern about Biden's reelection campaign during the call, which occurred Saturday about an hour before the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump.
"National security is a major issue in this campaign," Crow said on the call, according to a congressional staffer. "Americans want a commander in chief who can project strength, vigor, and inspire confidence at home and abroad. They need to feel that you have the helm when they go to bed each night. Despite your many successes and the dangers of Trump, we are seeing overwhelming evidence in our districts that many voters are losing confidence you can do this in a second term. It's not fair, but it's true."
"Without a major change, we are facing a loss in November," added Crow, who also serves on both the House Intelligence and Foreign Affairs Committees. "The status quo won't work. Focusing just on Trump won't work. Focusing on our accomplishments won't work. What major change to your campaign do you propose?"
Biden, who has faced and declined several calls from members of his own party to step aside and allow for another candidate to be atop the ticket come November's election, reportedly disagreed with Crow's outlook.
“First of all, I think you’re dead wrong on national security,” the president said, according to Puck News . “You saw what happened recently in terms of the meeting we had with NATO. I put NATO together. Name me a foreign leader who thinks I’m not the most effective leader in the world on foreign policy. Tell me! Tell me who the hell that is! Tell me who put NATO back together! Tell me who enlarged NATO. Tell me who did the Pacific Basin! Tell me who did something that you’ve never done with your Bronze Star like my son — and I’m proud of your leadership, but guess what, what’s happening? We’ve got Korea and Japan working together, I put Aukus together, anyway! … Things are in chaos, and I’m bringing some order to it. And again, find me a world leader who’s an ally of ours who doesn’t think I’m the most respected person they’ve ever.”
Biden referenced Crow's Bronze Star, which is awarded to any service member who distinguishes themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, and seemingly compared it to his son, Beau Biden, who also received the honor. Beau Biden served in the Delaware Army National Guard and was deployed to Iraq in 2008 and 2009.
When Crow said it wasn't "breaking through" to voters, Biden reinforced his record and urged Democrats concerned about his reelection chances they "oughta talk about it!”
Biden abruptly ended the call shortly thereafter, telling lawmakers he had to go to mass, according to the Hill .
The president has had several meetings with various lawmakers and party representatives to try to calm the calls for Biden to step aside.
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Biden has faced increased pressure from Democrats to step aside after his debate performance last month, which left members of the party concerned about his fitness for office at the age of 81 and whether he should run to serve another four years. But, those calls have largely stagnated following the assassination attempt on the former president.
The president has repeatedly said since the debate that he would not step aside despite calls from his own party to do so amid distressing polls.
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