WASHINGTON - House Democrats weren't out for blood on Tuesday as a debate rages in the party over whether President Joe Biden should stay in the 2024 presidential election – but concerns remain following a critical, closed-door meeting between members.

An example: Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., told reporters that he believes Biden is a great president but declined to say whether he also thinks the 81-year-old incumbent is the best candidate for Democrats to defeat former President Donald Trump this fall.

“He’s the nominee,” McGovern said when asked if Biden is the strongest Democratic option. “I think if he’s the candidate, we will prevail.”

Biden's status for 2024 got prime-time billing when House lawmakers huddled in the morning at the Democratic National Committee headquarters following two weeks of growing concern over whether there is a path forward for Democrats to win up and down the ticket with the president at the helm. A handful of Democrats in the lower chamber have called on Biden to pass the torch ahead of November's election after a disastrous debate against Trump last month, during which he struggled to complete points or make a comprehensive pitch.


Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., told USA TODAY after the meeting that members who are already facing tough reelection bids this year voiced concerns about their ability to win with Biden at the top of the ticket

"I think these conversations were necessary. This was the first chance we really had an opportunity to, to air that out and to hear from some of the members from purple states and some members who are in very, very tight races," Lynch said.

Biden has been slumping in polling, seeing a dip following his shaky performance at the June 27th debate. According to a recent New York Times and Siena College poll, Trump led Biden 49% to 43%. Trump’s lead increased by 3% compared to the polling conducted before the debate.

Story Date: July 10, 2024