Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat from Virginia, is taking proactive steps to address concerns within the Democratic party following President Biden’s lackluster debate performance. According to sources familiar with the situation, Warner is working to convene a meeting with fellow Democratic senators to discuss their worries about Biden’s candidacy.
The urgency in Warner’s actions reflects a growing sense of unease among certain Democrats in the Senate regarding Biden’s ability to continue in the presidential race. Additionally, there is frustration among senators that the president and his team have not directly addressed their concerns.
While some House Democrats have been vocal in their criticisms of Biden’s debate performance, with a few even calling for him to withdraw from the race, most senators have remained relatively quiet about their apprehensions.
Warner, a centrist former governor who considered a presidential run himself in 2008, has been in contact with colleagues since the debate, expressing concern about Biden’s performance and the need for Democrats to address the situation promptly. As the chairman of the Intelligence Committee, Warner is respected in the Senate for his bipartisan approach.
While Warner has expressed his dismay to fellow Democratic senators, he is not spearheading an effort to push Biden out of the race. Instead, he is focused on facilitating a discussion on the best course of action moving forward.
Biden has stated that he has the support of numerous members of Congress to stay in the race, despite calls from a few Democratic Representatives for him to step aside.
Senators are set to reconvene in Washington on Monday after a recess, where discussions about Biden’s candidacy are expected to continue.
Luke Broadwater and Carl Hulse contributed to this report.
