Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Sunday dodged a question from CBS News host Robert Costa about whether he pressured President Joe Biden to not run for reelection in 2024.
Schumer appeared on “Face the Nation” to discuss where the party is headed following Biden's withdrawal from the race last weekend. Costa began by asking about a private meeting between Biden and Schumer on July 13, asking whether Schumer had suggested “in any way that the president should withdraw from the race.”
“First, let's look at President Biden's record. He's been one of the best presidents in decades and has passed a lot of good legislation: the infrastructure bill, the IRA bill, lowering prescription drug prices for the first time and successfully taking on the NRA, helping veterans with incinerators,” Schumer responded.
“He's had an incredibly successful track record. He's always done what's right for America. I respect him. I respect his patriotism. I respect the great things he's done, and we've accomplished a lot of it together,” Schumer said.
Costa then took a tougher stance, calling on senators to go on the record about the “intent” of a one-on-one private meeting between the two men. (RELATED: 'I clap, you don't have to': Chuck Schumer independently applauds Kamala Harris at press conference)
“But historically, what role did you play and what were your intentions in that meeting with him on July 13?” Costa asked.
“Well, I won't go into details, but President Biden will leave office proud and honored by the great things he's accomplished and for putting America first, as he always has,” Schumer said.
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About a week before Biden dropped out of the presidential race on July 21, the president reportedly met twice separately with both House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Schumer. ABC's Washington bureau chief Jonathan Karl said in an on-air interview that Schumer “convinced” Biden “why he should step aside.”
“My understanding is that the meeting in Rehoboth, Delaware, was a private meeting between the Senate Majority Leader and the president,” Kahl said, adding that Chuck Schumer made a strong case that it would be better for Biden, the Democratic Party and the country if Biden dropped out of the race.
Biden faced strong backlash from his own party in late June after struggling to finish sentences and freezing up mid-sentence during a debate with former President Donald Trump, prompting Democratic lawmakers, political commentators and party donors to call on him to withdraw from the race.
After Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the party's new presidential candidate, she managed to secure the support of more than 3,000 Democratic delegates despite receiving little support in the primaries.
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