In a private call that underscores the growing concerns within the Democratic Party, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reportedly told President Joe Biden that recent polling data indicates he cannot defeat former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election. According to four sources briefed on the conversation, Pelosi warned Biden that his continued candidacy could jeopardize Democrats' chances of retaining control of the House in November.
President Biden, 81, responded defensively, asserting that he had seen polls suggesting he could win. One source mentioned that Biden appeared particularly defensive about the polling data. During the conversation, Pelosi brought in Mike Donilon, a longtime adviser to Biden, to discuss the polling details further.
This call marks the second known discussion between Pelosi and Biden since Biden's widely criticized debate performance against Trump on June 27. Although the exact date of the recent call is unclear, sources described it as having occurred within the past week. Pelosi and Biden also spoke in early July.
While Pelosi did not explicitly tell Biden to drop out of the 2024 race, her concerns reflect a broader anxiety within the Democratic Party. Pelosi has been listening to her colleagues' concerns since the debate and, in an interview last week, she urged Biden to make a decision soon, emphasizing that "time is running short."
When asked for comment, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates did not directly address the specifics of the Pelosi-Biden call. Bates reiterated that "President Biden is the nominee of the party. He plans to win and looks forward to working with congressional Democrats to pass his 100 days agenda to help working families."
A spokesperson for Pelosi also declined to provide details on the conversation, stating that Pelosi respects the confidentiality of her meetings with the president. "Sadly, the feeding frenzy from the press based on anonymous sources misrepresents any conversations the Speaker may have had with the President," the spokesperson added.
Pelosi has been a long-time ally of Biden, leading House Democrats throughout Biden's two terms as vice president and during the first two years of his presidency. However, her recent actions suggest she is considering the broader implications of Biden's re-election bid. Pelosi has advised members against rallying behind Biden until a broader discussion takes place about whether he is the best candidate to defeat Trump.
The anxiety within the Democratic Party has been exacerbated by Biden's recent health issues. After testing positive for COVID-19, Biden is experiencing mild symptoms and is self-isolating. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed that Biden is vaccinated and boosted and will continue to carry out all his duties while in isolation.
Biden's COVID-19 diagnosis has prompted questions about his health and ability to lead. In an update, Biden's physician, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, stated that the president does not have a fever and his vital signs remain normal. Biden is taking Paxlovid, a medication used to treat COVID-19, and his symptoms are described as mild upper respiratory issues, including a runny nose and cough.
The diagnosis has also led to speculation about the president's campaign. Biden's deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks emphasized that the president is not reconsidering his candidacy, stating, "He is not wavering on anything." However, influential Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have expressed concerns and are pushing for Biden to reassess his campaign's viability.
In addition to Pelosi's concerns, California Representative Adam Schiff, a close ally of Pelosi, has publicly called for Biden to drop out of the race. Schiff stated that while the decision ultimately lies with Biden, he believes it is time to "pass the torch." Schiff's announcement adds to the growing number of Democratic members of Congress urging Biden to reconsider his re-election bid.
Despite these pressures, Biden remains committed to his campaign. In a recent radio interview, he dismissed the idea that it was too late for him to recover politically, stating, "All the talk about who's leading and where and how, is kind of, you know - everything so far between Trump and me has been basically even."
