In the aftermath of Joe Biden's lackluster debate performance, several Democrats running in competitive districts have voiced their apprehensions to the Biden campaign and the White House. They fear that Biden's presence at the top of the ticket could not only jeopardize the party's chances of retaining the presidency but also hinder their goal of regaining control of the House of Representatives from the GOP.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, Democratic lawmakers believe that Biden's performance could dampen voter turnout, a crucial factor in determining the outcome of key races, thereby diminishing their prospects of success in the upcoming November elections.
For instance, Democratic Rep. Jared Golden, representing a predominantly rural district in Maine that previously supported former President Donald Trump, expressed his acceptance of a potential Trump victory in November.
Similarly, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez from Washington state opined that Biden is likely to lose to Trump following the debate but refrained from calling for his withdrawal from the race.
Democrats in closely contested general election matchups are particularly feeling the pressure, with some indicating to the campaign their concerns about running alongside Biden.
Retiring Rep. Anne Kuster, who holds a fiercely contested swing seat in New Hampshire, has raised issues with both the White House and the Biden campaign regarding the impact of concerns about the president's well-being on house races, especially in challenging districts.
Responding to these worries, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre acknowledged the concerns and admitted that the president's debate performance was subpar. She reassured that they understand the gravity of the situation and are not downplaying the public's perception of the debate.
