House Democrats remain divided over support for Biden

WASHINGTON (TND) — Democrats met in person for the first time since President Joe Biden's shaky debate against Donald Trump and emerged with still differing opinions among some of their ranks.

“While he's convinced everyone who was in that room that he has been a great president. There are too many people in the battleground states who have not been convinced and the debate didn't advance us there," said Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, who was the first Democratic House member to formally call for Biden to end his campaign.

Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., who reportedly called for a new candidate on a virtual call over the weekend, backed off at the meeting.

“He's won the nomination. I mean, he's got all the delegates, only he can make that determination," Rep. Nadler told reporters about the President's decision to possibly step aside.

The President had plenty of supporters, too, but the split remained even after the call for unity. Biden has tried to explain his poor debate performance as a one-off incident and that he's still up for the job.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., was asked multiple times about the President’s support in the Senate.

As I’ve said before, I’m with Joe," Sen. Schumer said three times.

Growing frustration over whether or not the White House has been straight with the American people about if the President was fit to serve boiled over in a press conference this week. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s lack of information on multiple visits from a Parkinson’s expert to the White House led to a formal letter from the President’s physician clarifying Biden gets a neurological checkup for his annual physicals. The letter stated the visits were mostly for other staff.

Republicans pounced on the chaos.

“The White House has been trying to cover up for a lot of his failures, but everyone up here in this town that’s interacted with the president has known for years this is the Joe Biden that we’ve all seen," said Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La.

Biden is likely under the microscope this week. His jam-packed schedule features speeches and meetings during the NATO summit in D.C.