Biden continues campaign push while Democrats hold ‘crisis talks’ - live
'I'm not giving up,' Biden said during remarks with campaign staff and volunteers on Sunday
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On Sunday morning, Biden spoke at Mount Airy Church of God in Christ in Philadelphia where he told congregates about the importance of faith and remaining positive about the future of America. He then briefly met with campaign staff before heading to the state capital to meet with union members and local Democrats, including Senator John Fetterman.
His agenda coincided with crisis talks among top Democrats in the House to discuss the future of Biden's bid for the White House as he faces growing pressure to drop out of the race from members of his own party.
In those closed-door crisis talks, convened by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, several influential Democrats said it was time for Biden to step aside.
Now, at least five House Democrats have publicly called for the president to step aside and allow another candidate – likely Kamala Harris – to take his place as the Democratic nominee.
Despite the calls, Biden has remained adamant that he will run for president and defeat Trump.
1720400440 Fetterman backs Biden: 'I know what it's like to have a rough debate'Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman has thrown his full support behind President Joe Biden, telling Biden campaign staffers that the president is the best option to defeat Donald Trump.
"I know what it's like to have a rough debate and I'm standing here as your senator," Fetterman said.
Ariana Baio 1720396823 Biden's woes worsen as Hunter plays adviser: 'The s** is going to hit the fan'Joe Biden's problems got even worse on Sunday as he completed a short campaign swing through battleground state Pennsylvania.
Congress remains out of session until Monday, when many lawmakers will face their first real pressure to answer questions about the president's future. But already the first hints of a landslide were visible as Democrats issued statements calling on the president to step aside — or at least have a serious conversation about doing so.
That list got longer on Sunday. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the head of the House Democratic caucus, convened a call with his members as the weekend drew to a close.
Read on...
Biden's woes worsen as Hunter plays adviser: 'The sh** is going to hit the fan' Convicted felon Hunter is now 'de facto gatekeeper for longtime friends' to the president as Biden's critics mount Rachel SharpDemocratic Representative Adam Schiff expressed some hesitations about President Joe Biden remaining in the 2024 presidential race, hinting that other options like the vice president could "overwhelmingly" win but said that decision was ultimately up to Biden himself.
"I think the vice president would be a phenomenal president, I think she has the experience, the judgment, the leadership ability to be an extraordinary president," Schiff told Meet the Press on Sunday
"But before we get into a decision about who else should be, the president needs to make a decision whether it's him," he added.
The California rep acknowledged the public's apprehensions about Biden remaining in the race, saying he too has some concerns after the president's disappointing debate performance and underwhelming ABC News interview.
Biden's appearance during the debate escalated fears that he is not physically or mentally well enough to defeat Donald Trump in November. His hoarse voice and stumbling responses gave the impression of a confused elderly man rather than a strong confident leader.
Schiff said Biden's debate performance "rightfully" raised questions about his mental acuity.
Ariana Baio 1720390853 Several top House Democrats call for Biden to step aside in weekend 'crisis talks'Several influential House Democrats joined a growing list of party members calling on Joe Biden to step aside and let someone else run in 2024 in a weekend crisis call, according to reports.
The House Democratic caucus convened for crisis talks with Hakeem Jeffries, the chamber's minority leader, late Sunday afternoon as lawmakers prepare to face the media on Capitol Hill when Congress returns to business the next day.
Already, growing fractures are visible as party members take opposing positions on whether the president should remain the party's nominee after a disastrous debate showing against Donald Trump last week.
During that call with Jeffries, Reps Jerry Nadler, Susan Wild, Adam Smith and Mark Takano all came out in opposition to Biden running again, according to multiple news agencies.
Read the full story:
Several top Democrats call for Biden to step aside in weekend 'crisis talks' Democrats are questioning president's ability to prove to voters he has mental fitness and stamina to continue Rachel SharpDoug Emhoff, the Second Gentleman, has tested positive for Covid-19, according to his communications director.
Emhoff is currently asymptomatic though he previously experienced "mild symptoms" according to a statement from his office.
Out of caution, Vice President Kamala Harris was also tested but is currently negative.
Ariana BaioHouse Democratic minority leader Hakeem Jeffries held a virtual call Sunday afternoon where ranking Democratic lawmakers expressed their concerns about President Joe Biden's path to victory in the 2024 election, with some top leaders calling for Biden to step aside.
According to reports, a handful of ranking members, including New York Rep Jerrold Nadler, Washington Rep Adam Smith, California Rep Mark Takano and New York Rep Joseph Morelle all said Biden should withdraw from the race.
The meeting was convened at a time of heightened tension for the Democratic Party after Biden's disappointing and concerning debate performance at the end of June.
While five House Democratic members have publicly called for Biden to drop out, no ranking Democratic leaders have done so.
Ariana BaioVermont Senator Bernie Sanders is backing President Joe Biden as the Democratic candidate for president but said in order to win he needs policies that benefit the working class.
"Biden and Democrats can win this election if they address the needs of the working class," Sanders said in a press release on Sunday.
"They have to take on the greed of corporate America and massive income and wealth inequality; raise the minimum wage to a living wage; expand Medicare to cover dental, vision, and hearing; lower childhood poverty by making the child tax credit permanent; make the very rich pay their fair share into Social Security so we can expand benefits and extend its solvency; cancel medical debt; and build the low income and affordable housing we desperately need."
Ariana BaioThe House Oversight Committee chairman James Comer is asking President Joe Biden's doctor to sit for an interview to discuss his examination of Biden after his debate performance.
In a letter sent to Dr. Kevin O'Connor on Sunday, Comer expressed concerns that "medical assessments have been influenced by your private business endeavors with the Biden family."
The House Oversight Committee believes Dr. O'Connor provided Biden's brother, James Biden, with counsel regarding Americore Health – a now-bankrupt healthcare company.
"To understand the extent of your involvement in the Biden family's financial activity, we request that you produce all documents and communications in your possession regarding Americore and James Biden. Additionally, the Committee requests you make yourself available for a transcribed interview with Committee counsel," the letter states.
Ariana BaioPresident Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman are in Harrisburg to speak with union members, according to a White House pool report.
Ariana Baio 1720380640 Connecticut Senator says Biden needs to 'do more' Ariana BaioSubscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this
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