Biden’s ABC interview fails to calm nerves, Democratic donors begin to express concerns

In a highly-anticipated ABC News interview on Friday night, President Joe Biden aimed to reassure Democratic supporters about his 2024 re-election bid against former President Donald Trump.

However, the interview, Biden’s first televised appearance since his fumbling debate performance in June, seemed to do little to assuage Democratic anxieties. The fallout has led to a growing number of Democratic lawmakers publicly urging Biden to step aside.

A chorus of Democratic voices calling for change

The latest prominent Democrat to call on Biden to bow out of the presidential race is House Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn. On Saturday, Craig made her plea public, stating,

“This is not a decision I’ve come to lightly, but there is simply too much at stake to risk a second Donald Trump presidency. That’s why I respectfully call on President Biden to step aside as the Democratic nominee for a second term as President and allow for a new generation of leaders to step forward.”

Craig is now the fifth House Democrat to make such a call. Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Il., also expressed his concerns during an MSNBC interview on Friday, just before the ABC News interview aired.

They join Reps. Lloyd Doggett, D-Tx., Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz., and Seth Moulton, D-Mass., who have similarly urged Biden to step down.

Growing unease among Democrats

David Axelrod, former senior advisor to President Barack Obama, commented on the situation after the ABC News interview.

The president is rightfully proud of his record, but he is dangerously out-of-touch with the concerns people have about his capacities moving forward and his standing in this race.

Even some of Biden’s closest allies have validated concerns about his fitness for reelection. Former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., acknowledged the legitimacy of questioning Biden’s debate performance and overall condition.

Despite their support for Biden’s bid for a second term, their comments have added to the growing unease within the party.

Behind closed doors: A flurry of meetings and calls

In an effort to address these concerns, Biden held a series of calls and meetings on Wednesday with Pelosi, Clyburn, and a group of Democratic governors. However, much of the anxiety is playing out behind closed doors.

Several Democratic lawmakers and their staff spoke anonymously to NBC News, doubling down on their concerns about Biden even after the ABC News interview.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., is organizing a virtual meeting of Democratic committee ranking members on Sunday, where Biden’s reelection will likely be a topic of discussion.

Meanwhile, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., is working to convene a meeting of Democratic senators next week to discuss the implications of Biden’s reelection campaign on down-ballot races.

Donor discontent: A growing alarm

The donor class is also expressing alarm over Biden’s candidacy. Michael Novogratz, CEO of Galaxy and a prominent Democratic donor, took to social media to voice his concerns.

“We need to move beyond the gerontocracy!! We need to sweep the floor of the team that’s been in charge the past 30 years and pass the reigns!! It’s time,” Novogratz posted on Saturday morning.

Novogratz, who previously supported long-shot Democratic challenger Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., before he dropped out, is part of a swelling wave of Democratic donors losing faith in Biden.

Disney heiress Abigail Disney, among others, has embargoed future donations to the party until Biden steps aside, according to CNBC reports.

Polls and public perception

Biden’s debate performance on June 27, characterized by moments where he tripped over his words and struggled to form coherent sentences, has not helped his standing.

A flurry of polls, including those from the New York Times/Siena College and the Wall Street Journal, have shown Biden losing ground against Trump following the debate.

In his interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos, Biden attempted to downplay the incident.

“It was a bad episode. No indication of any serious condition. I was exhausted. I didn’t listen to my instincts in terms of preparing and a bad night,” Biden explained.

He added firmly that he has no plans to drop out of the 2024 race, stating,

If the Lord Almighty came down and said, ‘Joe, get out of the race,’ I’d get out of the race. But the Lord Almighty’s not coming down.

The road ahead for Biden and the Democratic Party

As the list of Democrats openly questioning Biden’s viability grows, the party faces a critical crossroads. The concerns about Biden’s ability to lead a successful campaign against Trump are real and growing.

The upcoming meetings organized by Jeffries and Warner may provide a clearer picture of the party’s next steps.

For now, Biden remains resolute in his decision to run for a second term. However, the mounting pressure from within his own party signals that the road to the 2024 election will be fraught with challenges and intense scrutiny.