Democratic Party leaders are scrambling to solidify support for President Joe Biden following a lackluster debate performance that raised questions about his viability as the 2024 candidate.

Concerns about Biden's capabilities have led to high-level internal discussions within the party which included a recent, highly fraught phone call, as the Daily Mail reports.

After a CNN debate in Atlanta on Thursday, a confidential call was organized, steered by Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison and Biden's campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez. The call aimed to galvanize committee members' support for Biden despite widespread concerns about his debate showing.

Hasty Organizing of Secret Call

During the call, participants expressed frustration. They felt party leaders were disregarding clear indications of Biden's mental decline and questioned his presidential suitability.

Attention is building within the Democratic Party as the Democratic Convention, scheduled for mid-August, approaches. Discussions have heated up regarding the possibility of identifying an alternative candidate.

Biden returned to Camp David, where he previously spent a week preparing for the debate, to confer with his family about his future after making a few post-debate campaign appearances.

According to NBC News, Biden left the debate feeling humiliated and lacking self-assurance. In an interview on MSNBC, Harrison downplayed the call’s significance, framing it as part of routine discussions concerning the race and the forthcoming convention.

Discord Amongst Call Participants

Despite Harrison and Rodriguez providing a positive perspective on Biden's prospects, some call participants found the outlook far-fetched. Joe Salazar, a Democratic National Committee member from Colorado, voiced his disappointment with the call, remarking that expected substantive dialogue was missing. He felt they were merely being cheerleaders without addressing the critical issue witnessed by millions on television.

Private dialogues regarding Biden's potential step-down have become more public, with open talks among Democrats intensifying. Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland acknowledged the serious internal debates about the party’s direction and emphasized that the party would remain unified, no matter the outcome.

Biden's Uncertain Nomination

Despite uncertainties, Biden is projected to be the Democratic Party's 2024 presidential candidate at the Convention in Chicago. However, doubts continue to rise among senior Democrats, who worry that the impact of Biden's debate might be underestimated. The call, which included dozens of committee members, sidestepped discussing Biden's poor debate performance, making some participants feel misled.

Harrison presented a hopeful narrative about Biden's future, while alsodisabling the chat function and not allowing questions during the call. Following the call, Biden's campaign released a memo asserting that the debate had no substantial effect on the election, emphasizing that their supporters remain fervent.

Words From Key Figures

Biden senior adviser, Jen O'Malley Dillon, reassured that any polling changes would be transient and driven by media narratives. She stated, "On every metric that matters, data shows it did nothing to change the American people's perception, our supporters are more fired up than ever, and Donald Trump only reminded voters of why they fired him four years ago and failed to expand his appeal beyond his MAGA base."

Joe Salazar added, "I was hoping for more of a substantive conversation instead of, 'Hey, let's go out there and just be cheerleaders,' without actually addressing a very serious issue that unfolded on American television for millions of people to see." Salazar continued,

"There were a number of things that could have been said in addressing the situation. But we didn't get that. We were being gaslit," he added.

Raskin provided further clarity stating, "There are very honest and serious and rigorous conversations taking place at every level of our party."

He emphasized, "We're having a serious conversation about what to do." Concluding on a note of unity, Raskin mentioned, "One thing I can tell you is that regardless of what President Biden decides, our party is going to be unified."

Conclusion

In conclusion, Democratic Party leaders' endeavor to address concerns after Biden's debate performance has led to both private and public discussions about his viability as a candidate.

Despite efforts by leaders to portray a positive outlook, internal discord and skepticism persist.

The forthcoming Democratic Convention will be a pivotal moment, with Biden's position as the presumptive nominee under scrutiny. As the party navigates through these challenges, unity remains a central theme among its members.