U.S.
Amid internal tensions, Jeffries says his position hasn’t changed, Biden is ‘our nominee’
By
The Washington Post July 20, 2024
Marianna Sotomayor, Mariana Alfaro
The Washington Post July 20, 2024
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., on Capitol Hill on July 10, 2024. (Craig Hudson for the Washington Post)
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., reiterated to reporters in Brooklyn on Friday that President Biden remains the Democratic Party nominee.
“President Biden, as I’ve said repeatedly, is our nominee. He has a tremendous track record of success,” Jeffries said. “And he has the vision, I believe, the ability, the capacity and the track record to make a case to the American people that will result in us being successful in November.”
Jeffries’s public comments are similar to what he has said all week and ever since Biden’s controversial June debate performance. Jeffries has played a critical role as chief listener, gathering input from House Democrats who have remained concerned over Biden’s chances to beat Trump in November. Conversations across the Democratic caucus last week culminated in Jeffries relaying those concerns - particularly that the president could contribute to House Democrats’ inability to flip the majority in their favor - to Biden in a one-on-one meeting,
As The Washington Post has reported, the “old-guard” of House Democratic leaders, including former speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., have repeatedly and publicly called on Biden to “make a decision” over his position on the ticket.
However, the new members of Democratic leadership - which also include Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., - have been more guarded in their comments, and have not issued a public statement beyond acknowledging that Biden is the nominee.
It would be unlike Jeffries to change his tone or public thinking - especially on such a pivotal issue - without first talking to the House Democratic caucus, according to a leadership aide. The House returns to Washington on Monday, and Democrats will meet Tuesday during their weekly caucus meeting.
Seven House Democrats who have grown impatient over Biden’s decision-making made their displeasure public Friday, hoping to influence the process by adding public pressure. Democratic leadership has not been telling members to hold off their public sentiments, instead counseling them to make a decision on their own, according to multiple lawmakers and aides.