Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) is reportedly trying to gather a group of Democratic senators to ask President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. According to two sources familiar with the private conversations, Warner has expressed concerns about Biden’s ability to run a competitive campaign against former President Donald Trump, particularly in light of Biden’s poor debate performance.
Warner’s spokeswoman, Rachel Cohen, did not confirm or deny Warner’s stance on Biden’s candidacy but acknowledged that Warner believes these are critical times for the president’s campaign. Warner is contemplating various approaches to convey these concerns to Biden, including potentially arranging a meeting between Democratic senators and the president at the White House.
While no Democratic senator has publicly called for Biden to step aside, private conversations among senators indicate growing unease. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has advised senators to hold off on any drastic actions until more polling data is available post-July Fourth holiday and the expected bump from the Republican national convention.
Warner’s initiative, if it materializes, would represent a significant shift in the Democratic approach to Biden’s re-election campaign. Historically, similar interventions, such as the one involving President Richard M. Nixon in 1974, have led to major political outcomes. Democratic senators are currently in their home states but are communicating their concerns and strategizing via phone.
Warner, a former governor of Virginia and a moderate dealmaker in the Senate, has occasionally criticized the Biden administration in the past. His readiness to address these concerns now could influence the party’s direction and strategy moving forward.
