Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has consistently expressed his support for President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign with the simple phrase, “I’m with Joe.” This response was reiterated three times during his weekly press conference when questioned about Biden’s chances against former President Donald Trump.
Schumer has chosen not to elaborate on the internal discussions among Democrats regarding Biden’s election prospects.
When asked if he agreed with Sen. Patty Murray’s assertion that Biden needs to be more forceful and energetic on the campaign trail, Schumer again refrained from commenting, sticking to his usual line of support for Biden.
Murray, a fellow member of the Democratic leadership, has suggested that Biden must take stronger actions to reassure the Democratic base. Schumer, however, has limited his public remarks about Biden since the president’s less-than-stellar debate performance against Trump.
Schumer’s steadfast support for Biden has been evident in his public appearances, including events in upstate New York and upon his return to Washington.
Despite the pressure to comment more extensively on Biden’s campaign, Schumer has maintained his brief but clear stance. Biden, on the other hand, took nearly a week after the debate to engage with Schumer and other senior Democrats in Congress.
There has been no public call from Senate Democrats for Biden to step down from his reelection bid. However, many have voiced concerns about his ability to robustly campaign against Trump, especially as polls show Biden trailing. These concerns have been both public and private, but there is a noticeable reluctance among lawmakers to discuss these issues openly.
As lawmakers left their weekly lunches on Tuesday, they remained tight-lipped about their conversations regarding Biden’s campaign. Schumer’s consistent message of support for Biden, despite the underlying concerns among Democrats, highlights the party’s cautious approach to discussing the president’s electoral strategy and future prospects.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings