After days of panic and concern, Democrats across the country were on edge watching George Stephanopoulos’ interview with President Joe Biden Friday night.
In Biden’s first sit-down interview since last week’s debate against former President Donald Trump, the president acknowledged the debate was a “bad episode,” but pushed back strongly against broader questions about his age and mental fitness.
While the president vowed to keep running, several Democrats on Capitol Hill expressed concern.
“One interview is not going to change the perception — we need more than 22 minutes — people have got to know he has the stamina to do the job and right now there are still concerns,” one Democratic representative expressed to ABC News. Adding, the “aftermath” of the debate has been just as bad as the debate night itself, with the president waiting too long to do an interview and call leaders.
Speaking on “ABC News Live” just moments after the interview aired, Rep. Mike Quigley expressed what signaled his openness to replace Biden as the nominee.
“Look, I think there’s growing concern,” Quigley said, “I think this is going to be an intense week in D.C., never mind all the critical issues that are taking place on the floor and in the country and the world … The political realm is going to go into hyperdrive this week.”
Quigley became the fourth House Democrat to openly call for Biden to step aside, which he said was a “painful” decision. Quigley joined Seth Moulton (D-MA), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), and Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ).
President Joe Biden speaks with George Stephanopoulos on July 5, 2024, in an ABC News exclusive.
ABC News
Another Democrat on Capitol Hill told ABC News that Biden’s interview with Stephanopoulos was “Better, but not sure it’s enough.”
Sen. Chris Coons quickly came to Biden’s defense after the interview, saying on X, “I can’t wait to help him continue to take the fight to Trump and win in November.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is set to hold a virtual meeting with House Democratic ranking committee members on Sunday afternoon, multiple sources told ABC News on Friday.
The president is expected to be the focus of the meeting, which would come a day before members return to Washington on Monday night as a handful of members have already called for him to step aside.
One senior Dem aide told ABC News Biden should “buckle up for a wild week” ahead.
The White House quickly reacted to Biden’s determination to stay in the race. One senior official told ABC News, “It’s clear that the voters on the ground are encouraging Biden to stay in and that he’s the best to take on Donald Trump.”
A Biden campaign adviser told ABC News the interview was “solid.”
The president has a busy few days coming up with a few campaign events in Philadelphia on Sunday and hosting the NATO summit next week.
ABC News’ Selina Wang, Will Steakin and Ben Siegel contributed to this report.
President Joe Biden’s recent interview with ABC News has sparked a range of reactions from Congressional Democrats. During the interview, Biden addressed a variety of pressing issues facing the country, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the crisis in Afghanistan, and his administration’s legislative agenda.
Many Congressional Democrats have praised Biden for his handling of the interview, noting his calm and steady demeanor in the face of tough questions. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent progressive voice in the party, tweeted that Biden’s performance was “strong and focused,” and commended him for his commitment to addressing the challenges facing the nation.
Other Democrats have expressed support for Biden’s policies and priorities outlined in the interview. Senator Elizabeth Warren highlighted Biden’s efforts to combat climate change and expand access to healthcare, calling his vision for the country “bold and necessary.” Representative Ilhan Omar echoed these sentiments, stating that Biden’s commitment to building back better for all Americans is crucial in this moment of crisis.
However, not all Congressional Democrats have been entirely supportive of Biden’s interview. Some have raised concerns about his handling of the situation in Afghanistan, with Senator Bernie Sanders calling for a more robust evacuation effort and increased support for Afghan refugees. Others have criticized Biden for not doing enough to address rising inflation and economic inequality in the country.
Overall, Congressional Democrats seem to be largely in agreement that Biden’s interview with ABC News was a strong showing for the president. While there may be some disagreements on specific policy issues, the party appears united in its support for Biden’s leadership and vision for the future. As the administration continues to tackle the myriad challenges facing the country, it is clear that Congressional Democrats will play a key role in shaping and implementing Biden’s agenda.
