A spokesperson told ABC News, “Chairman Schumer conveyed the views of his caucus.”
President Joe Biden’s support from elected party leaders is eroding, according to several well-connected Democratic sources.
As one who has publicly defended Biden from his debate show said Wednesday, “Biden is going to see all the cards come down pretty quickly.”
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer visited Biden on Saturday in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Shortly after the meeting, Schumer’s office released a statement saying, “I sat down with President Biden this afternoon in Delaware; we had a very good meeting.”
The meeting did not receive much attention because it happened shortly before the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania that day.
A knowledgeable source close to the two men says Schumer had a blunt conversation with Biden, saying it would be best if Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race.
When asked about this, Schumer’s spokesperson declined to comment on the details of the meeting, saying only that “President Schumer conveyed the views of his caucus.”
Later, a spokeswoman for the chairman added: “If ABC’s source wasn’t Chuck Schumer or President Joe Biden, the report would be mere speculation. Chairman Schumer communicated his caucus comments directly to President Biden on Saturday.”
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has made similar comments directly to Biden, suggesting he drop out of the race, a source familiar with the matter tells ABC News.
When asked by ABC News, a spokesman for Jeffries said, “Speaker Hakeem Jeffries’ letter to his House Democratic colleagues speaks for itself. This is a private conversation and will remain private.”
In the letter, dated July 12, Jeffries told House Democrats, “In my conversation with President Biden, I expressed firsthand the insightful, heartfelt perspectives and conclusions about the path forward that the caucus has shared in our recent term together.”
The letter did not say whether Jeffries urged Biden to drop out of the race or stay.
“The president told both leaders that he is the party’s nominee, that he plans to win, and that he looks forward to working with both of them to accomplish his 100-day agenda to help working families,” White House spokesman Andrew Bates said.
Biden continues to have strong support from the Congressional Black Caucus and some of the most influential and powerful figures in the Democratic Party, including Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.
