Psaki Gives Analysis After Debate
As the weekend unfolded, top Democrats rallied in support of President Joe Biden while his advisers scrambled behind the scenes to fend off suggestions that he step aside. The conversation about Biden’s future intensified following his shaky debate performance, prompting his campaign team to address the possibility of him leaving the race.
On Sunday, Biden’s campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, held a tense call with about 40 of Biden’s top financial backers. She emphasized that Biden had no intention of stepping down and described the complications of replacing him. According to two insiders, Chavez Rodriguez explained that most of the campaign’s significant funds would go to Vice President Kamala Harris, while a smaller amount would remain with the Democratic National Committee. Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, who joined part of the call, reinforced that the process would be "messy" and likely result in Harris becoming the nominee.
This call was part of a broader effort by Biden’s advisers and campaign leaders to reassure Democratic officials and donors. Jen O'Malley Dillon, the campaign chair, is also scheduled to hold a call with a larger group of donors on Monday night.
Psaki defends debate preppers, suggests the problem is... something else https://t.co/GrS9yeINuT
— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) July 1, 2024
Meanwhile, Biden’s family gathered at Camp David to discuss the future of his campaign. The message from his children and grandchildren, conveyed during a photo shoot with photographer Annie Leibovitz, was to "keep fighting," according to two sources familiar with the discussions. Some family members expressed frustration with the aides responsible for preparing Biden for the debate, but a senior Biden adviser denied these claims, and campaign spokesperson Kevin Munoz affirmed Biden’s confidence in his long-time aides.
Publicly, the campaign focused on the positive reactions to Biden’s debate performance, despite its challenges. Biden campaign pollster Molly Murphy shared on MSNBC that live panels showed voters viewed Biden as more presidential and truthful compared to Trump. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, in another MSNBC interview, described the debate as a setback but framed it as a setup for a comeback.
Chavez Rodriguez highlighted the campaign’s financial success since the debate, noting $33 million raised and hundreds of new applications to join the campaign. Senator Coons passionately defended Biden, citing his recent performances at international gatherings and a campaign rally in North Carolina as evidence that the debate was just a bad night.
However, not all donors were convinced. Some expressed fear and frustration during the call, with a few even inquiring about refunds for their contributions. One participant described the atmosphere as supportive yet anxious, with many donors feeling uncertain.
A senior Democratic official who has spoken directly with Biden and his team expressed confidence in Biden’s continued candidacy. However, the official acknowledged that the next two weeks would be critical, with upcoming polls and fundraising totals likely to influence Biden’s decision to stay in the race.