Should Joe Biden step down? NC Democrats in Congress split on what to say publicly

After 24 hours back on Capitol Hill, North Carolina’s Democrats in Congress are split on whether to publicly express support for Joe Biden’s decision to stay in the presidential race.

Whether Biden should continue his campaign has dominated the news cycles since June 27, when the president debated former President Donald Trump in Atlanta on CNN with garbled answers and thoughts that trailed off. Biden’s performance immediately sent Democrats into a tailspin and led some members of his party and political pundits to call for him to end his race.

Biden has dug in his heels, saying he’s not going anywhere. And he attempted to use a post-debate rally in Raleigh to revive support for his campaign.

Now, after spending two weeks away from the U.S. Capitol on a routine holiday break, Democrats in Congress find themselves facing a barrage of questions about whether President Joe Biden should end his campaign. Democrats returning to the Capitol also received a letter from Biden that included a proclamation he would continue his re-election bid.

Rep. Wiley Nickel, a Democrat from Cary, told McClatchy Biden is the Democratic nominee and that the party needs to ensure Biden defeats Trump.

“There is only one candidate that is not a convicted felon,” Nickel said Tuesday, before pivoting back to Biden. “There’s only one candidate that will bring our country together and has worked in a bipartisan way and will continue to do that.”

On Monday, many Democrats were reluctant to give answers to reporters waiting to hear from them. Some wouldn’t comment. Others who typically walk through hallways alone were surrounded by staff members. Another group found atypical routes to get to and from the chamber.

Their reactions come as new polling from Emerson College released Tuesday found Trump leading Biden 46% to 43%. While the margin remains close, Biden dropped two-points since the debate, with independent voters changing this views. Trump’s remains unchanged.

NC Congressional Black Caucus members

Biden held a call with the Congressional Black Caucus Monday night. Democrats Reps. Alma Adams, of Charlotte; Valerie Foushee, of Hillsborough; and Don Davis, of Snow Hill are all members.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden walked away from that call with the full support of the caucus.

Prior to the meeting, however, Foushee was ready to support Biden’s decision, providing a statement to McClatchy, Monday, saying as much.

“Over the last three years, President Biden has consistently delivered results through unprecedented job growth, historic investments to fix our nation’s infrastructure, and lowering costs for hardworking families,” Foushee said. “I am appreciative of the President and his administration’s continued efforts to prioritize the needs of the American people and for investing in our local communities here in North Carolina and across the country. I believe he is fit to run and am supportive of his reelection campaign.”

Adams said through a spokesperson before the meeting she didn’t have enough information to comment. After the meeting, she also offered her support.

“President Biden has been an extraordinary president,” Adams said. “Throughout his career, he has demonstrated that he genuinely cares about our country and its people, and he has an historic record to show for it. I will continue to stand with the president and the people who elected him to be our nominee. He is the best candidate to be in this race.”

Davis, meanwhile, called Biden’s delivery at the debate ”a disaster,” in a written statement to McClatchy Tuesday afternoon, echoing what he had first told Spectrum News on July 2.

“Americans want a leader who is committed to telling the truth, but are also seeking a fighter,” Davis said. “The stakes of this election are incredibly high. It’s no longer just about a single debate performance but about the future of our nation. President Biden needs to show that he is fit to lead the free world and demonstrate his fighting spirit. If he’s going to stay in, he needs to step up. My commitment is fighting for eastern North Carolina and certifying the election.”

Davis is the only House member in North Carolina seeking reelection in a competitive race.

Greensboro, Raleigh Democrats

Both Reps. Deborah Ross, a Democrat from Raleigh, and Kathy Manning, a Democrat from Greensboro, remained vague on where they stand, other than throwing their support behind their party.

Ross complimented the president, but didn’t offer him support.

“Joe Biden has led our country with wisdom, grace, and integrity,” Ross told McClatchy in a written statement. “While leaders in our party continue to discuss the best path forward, I remain laser-focused on flipping the House, turning out the vote in Wake County, and ensuring that Democrats in North Carolina up and down the ballot are victorious in November.”

Last week, Ross told WRAL that Biden should remain in the race.

Manning also zeroed in on what Biden has done for the country, but not direct support.

“I am committed to working to elect Democrats from the White House to the U.S. House to the NC Governor’s House,” Manning said, in a written statement. “This is critical to maintain the gains we have achieved under President Biden and to stop the attacks on women’s reproductive rights, voting rights, protect investments in education, continue to rebuild our manufacturing base, build clean energy solutions, and build safer communities.”

Both called Trump “a threat.”

“Putting him in a position to appoint more Supreme Court Justices, to destroy the strong alliances we have built with NATO countries and other allies, and to increase costs with his irresponsible tariff plan would set this country back for decades,” Manning said.

Ross called on Democrats to come together and defeat Trump to “preserve our democracy.”

‘Right now, he’s the nominee’

Nickel, who agreed to speak directly with McClatchy, hesitated when characterizing Democrats’ conversations at the Capitol this week. But he said the party is united in ensuring Trump never reclaims the Oval Office.

“And, at this point, we’ve got make sure that we do everything we can to make sure Joe Biden beats Donald Trump,” Nickel said.

When asked what it would mean if ensuring Democrats beat Trump meant not having Biden as the nominee, Nickel said, “Right now, he’s the nominee and until that changes, my focus is making sure we talk about all the good things that the Joe Biden administration has done for North Carolina.”

But Nickel saw the debate, and isn’t mincing words about Biden’s performance.

“It was a very bad debate, and I’ve talked to a lot of people in Congress who are concerned. There’s only one person who can put that issue to rest and it’s Joe Biden. I know he’s up for the job.”

Until Tuesday night, Democrat Rep. Jeff Jackson from Charlotte — a congressman known for his transparency — declined to offer his opinion on Biden’s candidacy. Jackson walked through the Capitol doors Monday evening making his way toward the House chamber for their first votes of the evening.

When asked if he had any thoughts on Biden, he answered firmly, “I do.” When asked if he wanted to provide them, he said, “I don’t,” laughing and walking into the chamber and away from the sea of reporters.

Jackson, while not seeking reelection, is also in a competitive campaign. He’s seeking the role of the state’s attorney general, against Rep. Dan Bishop, a Republican from Charlotte.

Tuesday night, he released a statement about what Biden must do if he continues his campaign.

“The President has made clear that he intends to say in the race,” Jackson said. “If that’s the case, he must fully address voters’ real concerns following his debate performance and engage with the public and journalists in open settings. That isn’t just a fair expectation — it’s the only path to victory.”

Republican reaction

One member of North Carolina’s delegation was not worried about reporters’ questions when he came back from recess this week.

Rep. Patrick McHenry, a Republican from Lincoln County, who found himself in the center of a media frenzy after being named interim House speaker last October reveled in the press not seeking his attention.

McHenry walked through a door of the Capitol often used by Democrats. He was joined by Rep. Greg Murphy, a Republican from Eastern North Carolina.

“Do you want our opinions?” McHenry asked with a laugh. “They matter not at all.”