Ahead of Biden’s presser, congressional Democrats still quiet
(The Center Square) – Ahead of President Joe Biden’s Thursday evening press conference, none of North Carolina’s seven Democrats in Congress are among the 10 nationally with public statements calling for him to exit the race.
Nor have their social media posts or press releases reaffirmed support.
As the 75th anniversary summit of NATO closes in Washington, D.C., the president is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. Eastern news conference. The embattled leader has been fighting off critics, particularly since a June 26 debate against former President Donald Trump in Atlanta.
North Carolina is represented by three Democrats who will exit when their terms end this year – Kathy Manning, Wiley Nickel and Jeff Jackson. Four running for reelection are Don Davis, Deborah Ross, Valerie Foushee and Alma Adams, with Davis in what is cast as the most toss-up of the 14 congressional districts.
All remain quiet publicly on social media and in press releases on Biden, though there are hints, such as Davis in a media availability setting saying he needs to “step up.”
The latest redistricting maps are forecast to allow Ross, Foushee and Adams to retain their seats. Manning, Nickel and Jackson cited the maps as reason not to run, though Jackson opted for trying to win the state attorney general seat. He’s pitted against Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop.
Trump has spent an unusual two weeks far quieter than his usual bombastic self, allowing the spinning news cycle to concentrate on Biden. And mainstream media, surprisingly enough, obliged as Democrats murmured among themselves, 10 in Congress publicly called for him to exit the race, and even Democrat-backing Hollywood giants Rob Reiner and George Clooney said winning in November wasn’t possible if Biden stays on the ticket.
Those 10 Democrats are Sen. Peter Welch from Vermont; and Reps. Llyod Doggett of Texas, Raúl Grijalva of Arizona, Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, Mike Quigley of Illinois, Angie Craig of Minnesota, Adam Smith of Washington, Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey, Pat Ryan of New York, and Earl Blumenauer of Oregon.
Biden in November 1972 won election as a U.S. senator just five years after law school. He’s served consecutively in Washington since sans the four years of the Trump administration. Fifteen days after Election Day, he’ll turn 82.
