Biden loses more support in House
In off-the-record call, 4 top Democrats say he should end campaign
The political crisis surrounding President Biden deepened Sunday as the number of House Democrats who are calling on the president to step aside rose to nine after a weekend in which Biden campaigned in the mustwin state of Pennsylvania, aiming to shore up his precarious candidacy.
Four senior House Democrats forcefully declared Sunday during an off-the-record call with House Democratic leadership that they believe Biden should step aside: Reps. Jerry Nadler (N.Y.), Adam Smith (Wash.), Mark Takano (Calif.) and Joseph Morelle (N.Y.), according to two people on the call. They join five other House Democrats who have publicly called on Biden to drop his reelection bid or believe Donald Trump will beat him in November.
In addition, at least 18 current and former top Democrats as of Saturday had publicly raised concerns about Biden's fitness for office and his ability to defeat Trump as the president heads into a critical week.
In a moment laden with symbolism, Biden appeared to seek comfort and support from what has historically been his most loyal constituency — Black Americans — at a church service in Philadelphia on Sunday morning.
“The joy cometh in the morning,” Biden, who has said only “the Lord Almighty” is the only one who could talk him out of the race, said at Mt. Airy Church of God in Christ. “You've never given up in my life. And as your president, I've tried to walk my faith.”
It has been the Black community that has backed Biden most strenuously in recent days as a growing number of elected officials urge the president to show that he can effectively vanquish Trump in November. From the start of the service at Mt. Airy, Pastor Louis Felton was emphatic in his support for Biden, urging worshipers to stand and shout, “We love you, President Biden!”
Felton made a point of noting that the president was sitting next to a 91-year-old bishop, the founder of the church, Ernest C. Morris Sr.
“Don't let anyone talk about your age,” Felton quipped. “You're a young whippersnapper.”
At one point during a service that at times seemed designed to boost him during a time of tribulation, Biden seemed to grow introspective, telling the congregation that “we're all imperfect beings.”
“We don't know where or what fate will deliver us to or when,” Biden said.
“But we do know is that we can seek a life of light, hope, love and truth no matter what.”
“We have to work together,” the president added. “Because when we do, you can't stop us.”
Throughout the day, Biden's campaign sought to show him campaigning before the cameras, backed up by Pennsylvania's two Democratic senators: John Fetterman, a staunch defender, and Bob Casey, who is up for reelection in November.