Congressional Democrats issue grim warning amid fears for their races after Joe Biden debate debacle: 'Sh*t is going to hit the fan on Monday'

By Katelyn Caralle, Senior U.S. Political Reporter For Dailymail.Com In Washington, D.C.

Published: | Updated:

Congressional Democrats are growing increasingly concerned about their own races in November amid panic over President Joe Biden's rapid public decline.

The 81-year-old incumbent has said it would take an act of God for him to drop out despite a chorus of calls for him to step aside in 2024 for a younger, more mentally fit candidate.

'The sh*t is going to hit the fan on Monday, when Congress returns,' a House Democrat told Axios.

They added: 'People are scared about their own races. But they're also worried about the country, and about democracy.'

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) is organizing a group of Senate Democrats to discuss Biden's future, and is pushing to meet Monday evening. 

Democratic lawmakers are growing increasingly worried about their races in November and are likely to up calls for President Joe Biden to drop out of the race this week

Democratic lawmakers are growing increasingly worried about their races in November and are likely to up calls for President Joe Biden to drop out of the race this week

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) told NBC's Meet the Press during a Sunday interview: 'The performance on the debate stage, I think, rightfully raised questions among the American people about whether the president has the vigor to defeat Donald Trump. And this is an existential race.'

'He should be mopping the floor with Donald Trump. Joe Biden is running against a criminal. It should not be even close. And there is only one reason why it is close – and that's the president's age.' the California Democrat added.

'And what I would advise the president is seek out the opinions of people you trust. He's obviously talked to his family about this… but he should seek out people with some distance and objectivity. He should seek out pollsters who are not his own pollsters.'

'Take a moment to make the best informed judgment. And if the judgment is run – then run and beat that SOB.'

Lawmakers grew antsy over the Independence Day break and are returning to Washington, D.C. on Monday after a week-and-a-half of Biden's team doing damage control after the debate.

Rep. Adam Schiff (R-Calif.) told NBC on Sunday: '[Biden] should be mopping the floor with Donald Trump. Joe Biden is running against a criminal. It should not be even close. And there is only one reason why it is close – and that's the president's age'

Rep. Adam Schiff (R-Calif.) told NBC on Sunday: '[Biden] should be mopping the floor with Donald Trump. Joe Biden is running against a criminal. It should not be even close. And there is only one reason why it is close – and that's the president's age'

'I don't know that the interview on Friday night did enough to answer those questions. And so I think this week is going to be absolutely critical. I think the president needs to do more,' Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) told CNN on Sunday

'I don't know that the interview on Friday night did enough to answer those questions. And so I think this week is going to be absolutely critical. I think the president needs to do more,' Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) told CNN on Sunday

Biden held a rally on Friday in Madison, Wisconsin and his first sit-down post-debate interview aired that evening on ABC, leading to even more concerns over his fitness for a second term in the White House.

'I think there's no doubt that the president's performance at the debate has raised questions for voters… Questions as to whether this is still the old Joe Biden,' Sen. Chris Murphy told CNN's State of the Union on Sunday.

'Personally – I love Joe Biden – I don't know that the interview on Friday night did enough to answer those questions,' the Connecticut Democrat added. 'And so I think this week is going to be absolutely critical. I think the president needs to do more.'

'I'm not advising his campaign, but if I were I would probably suggest that the president get out there and do a town hall, that he do a press conference, that he show the country that he's still the old Joe Biden – one of the best retail politicians that this country has ever seen,' Murphy concluded.

A Democratic operative told Axios that 'every single person not named Biden,' or paid by the president, realized how deep a hole the president needs to climb out of.

Several reports indicate that dozens of Democratic Representatives and Senators are close to speaking out against Biden or signing letters telling the president to end his reelection bid.

These talks are likely to intensify with members returning to work this week.

Joe BidenDemocratsDonald TrumpPolitics