Discord within the Democratic Party continued on Tuesday, with the House Democratic Caucus seemingly unable to reach an agreement on President Biden's future course at an all-hands meeting in Washington, DC.
Tennessee Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Calif., told reporters that House Democrats not only don't see eye to eye, they “don't even think the same way,” in a video posted to Twitter by Daily Mail reporter John Michael Raasch.
Democrats left the conference on Biden saying not only do they disagree, “we're not on the same page.” pic.twitter.com/n2QEeJinzE
— John Michael Raasch (@JMRaasch) July 9, 2024
One House Democrat, who declined to be named, told Punchbowl News' Jake Sherman that the meeting “was like a funeral.”
INSIDE THE ROOM — Attendance at a meeting of the House Democratic Caucus to discuss President Joe Biden's policy positions is beginning to thin.
“It was like a funeral,” one House Democrat who supports Biden told me.
There is certainly no consensus on Biden. There is a lot of talk about how difficult it is…
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) July 9, 2024
Another Democrat went further, saying likening the meeting to a funeral was “an insult to funerals” and arguing that “morale in the caucus is at a historic low,” Semaphore reporter Kadia Goba reported. (Related article: “It should be scary for everyone”: Gabbard calls Harris “unfit,” warns “deep state” will remain if Harris runs)
One member at today's Democratic caucus meeting told me, “Caucus morale is at an all-time low.” When I asked them, as others have, if they likened this to a funeral, they said, “That's an insult to a funeral.”
— Kadia Goba (@kadiagoba) July 9, 2024
“I don't think he should continue in the campaign,” Illinois Democratic Rep. Mike Quigley declared, Goba reported.
“I'm worried that he's going to undermine the campaign,” Rep. Quigley said after leaving today's Democratic caucus meeting. “I don't think he should continue.”
He's sworn to secrecy about who else feels the same way, and said they've “already been taken off my Christmas card list.”
— Kadia Goba (@kadiagoba) July 9, 2024
And California Democratic Rep. Mark Takano has argued that recent polls suggest Biden is projected to lose his district, which Sherman said is a district Biden won with 62% of the vote in 2020.
Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, one of six Democrats who publicly called for Biden to step down, insisted his position was shared by his caucus. “Everybody in the room was listening very carefully to the different positions,” Moulton told CNN's Annie Grayer.
Seth Moulton, one of six Democrats who have publicly called for Joe Biden to step down, explained how he came to this position during a closed-door Democratic caucus meeting.
“I explained my position and how I got to that position.”
“Everyone was listening very attentively from different positions in the room.”
— Annie Grayer (@AnnieGrayerCNN) July 9, 2024
Yet many Democrats Remained silent In response to reporters' questions, some reiterated their unwavering support for Biden.
“This matter is settled,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-New York, told reporters. “Joe Biden is our nominee,” she concluded.
AOC has said she supports Joe Biden.
“The issue is resolved,” she said. “Joe Biden is our nominee.” pic.twitter.com/HVCluO2Ahh
— John Michael Raasch (@JMRaasch) July 8, 2024
Some who had previously expressed concerns or called for Biden to resign appear to have backtracked.
Rep. Lloyd Doggett, the first Democrat to publicly call on Biden not to run, appears to have softened his stance.
“I make my point. for “We want Biden and an alternative,” Doggett told Raasch.
Rep. Lloyd Doggett, the first Democrat to call on Biden to back down, has been brought back to Joe's side.
He said he had made the case to his colleagues for supporting Biden and replacing him. pic.twitter.com/4ZURjUWMS9
— John Michael Raasch (@JMRaasch) July 9, 2024
And New York Democrat Jerry Nadler reportedly told House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in a private call that he wanted Biden to resign. according to According to Politico, they too appear to be voicing their support for the president.
Asked if he thought Biden was the best candidate, Nadler paused for five seconds before replying, “Yes, he is the best candidate right now… well, he's the only candidate.”
Rep. Jerry Nadler, who said he was against Biden in a private call on Sunday, is coming out in support of Biden ahead of the Democratic meeting this morning. pic.twitter.com/QfHkrr8zvu
— John Michael Raasch (@JMRaasch) July 9, 2024
