Biden gets top Pennsylvania Democrats' support against dropout calls

Many of Pennsylvania's top Democrats remain in President Biden 's corner despite a disastrous debate and calls within the party for him to drop his re-election campaign.

Why it matters: The backing of Pennsylvania delegates and political powerbrokers in the biggest swing state is crucial for Biden as he tries to quell concerns about his ability to take on former President Trump in November.

Driving the news : U.S. Sen. John Fetterman and several others in the state's congressional delegation are rallying behind the president, who's insisted he's staying in the 2024 race.

• Fetterman and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey joined Biden Sunday as he campaigned in Pennsylvania — shortly after news of a recent scripted interview the president gave to a Black Philly radio station fueled concerns about how Biden's team shields the 81-year-old.
• Fetterman told CNN the president was "crisp and engaged" during the visit, just like the "Joe Biden I've always seen."
• Casey, who's facing David McCormick in one of the nation's most competitive Senate races, has said Biden can still win Pennsylvania but cautioned it "will be hard," per The Hill .

Philly U.S. Reps. Brendan Boyle and Dwight Evans are backing Biden, too.

• "I urged him to run in 2020 and was a strong supporter from Day One. And I stayed a strong supporter, even when the odds looked long. So I sure as hell am not abandoning Joe Biden now," Boyle said in a post on X .
• A spokesperson for Evans tells Axios he "strongly supports" the president.

The latest: Talk of replacing Biden as the Democratic nominee was a knee-jerk reaction to his struggles at the debate, some state delegates told Axios.

• But most Democrats have "returned to the fold" and are expected to support Biden at next month's Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Yes, but: Lehigh Valley U.S. Rep. Susan Wild , who's running for re-election, is among several Democratic lawmakers who've spoken out about worries over Biden's "electability."

• U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, a Democrat representing Chester County, told the Inquirer she's still mulling about her continued support of Biden.

Meanwhile, Gov. Josh Shapiro hasn't taken a stance, instead putting pressure on Biden.

• "The president has a responsibility to reassure the good people of Pennsylvania and the people of this country that he can defeat Donald Trump," he told Axios in a statement.

Zoom out: Biden sent a letter this week to congressional Democrats saying it was time to "end" the push for him to withdraw.

• Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday "time is running short" for Biden to make a final call about staying in the race.
• She suggested further discussion about Biden's political future should "hold off" until after this week's NATO conference .

Zoom in: Some Pennsylvania delegates told Axios replacing Biden on the ticket is a far-fetched and "cumbersome" idea.

• Despite initial panic after the debate, many Democrats have steeled themselves around the idea that Trump remains an "existential threat" to democracy, one delegate said.

What they're saying: Diane Ellis-Marseglia, a delegate and chair of the Bucks County Board of Commissioners, told Axios the debate was "painful" to watch, but Biden has assuaged many of her concerns in recent appearances.

• "It was an overreaction," she says. "I believe in his family, his wife. I do not believe that, if they thought there was anything wrong [with him], they would let this happen."

Bob Brady, head of Philadelphia's Democratic City Committee , tells Axios party members in the city remain deeply loyal to Biden, calling the president "our favorite son."

• "These people that are coming out saying he should withdraw are doing so at their own peril," he said. "Our people don't stay loyal and they're a disgrace."

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