During a string of calls to lawmakers on Capitol Hill, President Joe Biden reportedly had a “tense” meeting with centrist House members.
Members of the New Democrat Coalition said lawmakers felt “really dismayed” by Biden during the Zoom call on Saturday, according to one source who took part in that virtual meeting.
“He had no answer to questions about his electability. He seemed oblivious to the polling that shows him losing swing states. He didn’t want to hear it … He didn’t try to reassure anyone. He took no responsibility,” a source told Axios, adding that it is “probably” likely after the call that a statement is “under consideration” to ask Biden to end his re-election bid.
“That was a complete disaster. We saw the same Joe Biden from the debate,” one House Democrat on the call told Axios.
“It was awful,” said another.
Responding to questions from Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX) about his strategy for salvaging his campaign and winning back voters, the president reportedly said it was up to lawmakers to tout the accomplishments of his administration. But the most heated moments came in a back-and-forth with Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) who brought up voter concerns.
“Members were not holding back … it got tense with Crow for sure,” one source told Axios.
“National security is a major issue in this campaign. Americans want a commander-in-chief who can project strength, vigor, and inspire confidence at home and abroad. They need to feel that you have the helm when they go to bed each night,” Crow said, according to a transcript obtained by The Hill.
“Despite your many successes and the dangers of Trump, we are seeing overwhelming evidence in our districts that many voters are losing confidence you can do this in a second term. It’s not fair, but it’s true,” he added.
“The group on this zoom have run the toughest races in the country and many of us know without a major change we are facing a loss in November,” Crow continued. “The status quo won’t work. Focusing just on Trump won’t work. Focusing on our accomplishments won’t work. What major change to your campaign do you propose?”
According to sources, Biden began “shouting” at Crow’s question and demanded he “name me a foreign leader who thinks I’m not the most effective leader.”
“Tell me who the hell that is,” the president continued, saying it is “dead wrong” and declaring, “I don’t want to hear that crap.”
“He started shouting at Jason Crow for no reason,” one New Democrat Coalition member noted.
The exchange reportedly ended with Biden saying: “If you’re really getting input that I’m not strong enough, and I’d like to know more detail because I want to deal with it.”
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) followed the exchange with Crow but struggled to complete her question as Biden interrupted her. He then cut the call short as he announced he had to go to mass.
“The president held the calls with lawmakers from his beach house in Rehoboth, Del. The mass the president attended in Rehoboth was at 5:30 p.m. and he left his house at 5:36 p.m. to attend,” The Hill reported.
Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL), was “visibly not happy that he was not going to be able to ask a question,” according to one member. The Illinois lawmaker is one of 19 House Democrats who have publicly called for Biden to step aside.
Before the Zoom call with the New Democrats, the president had held a meeting with the Congressional Progressive Caucus. That call had been without the tension of the later meeting and Biden had reportedly teased a “major” Supreme Court reform policy coming soon, according to sources.
The chair of the New Democrat Coalition called the meeting with Biden “respectful” despite his shouting at Crow.
Rep. Ann McLane Kuster (D-NH), said they “had a candid, respectful and productive conversation with the President about how to win over disaffected voters and boost turn out in swing districts.”
“As the majority makers, we are united around our goal of winning back the House and asked the President to focus on the future and reassure voters about Democrats’ ability to win in November,” Kuster said in a statement, according to The Hill.
“Moving forward we expect President Biden to do everything in his power to demonstrate to the American people that Democrats will keep the White House and flip the House in November,” she added.
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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