Democrats will be looking at ‘hard judgments’ if Biden can’t lay doubts to rest: Gerry Connolly

Democrats are weary over the future of President Joe Biden‘s reelection bid after a shaky debate performance last week, and one House Democrat believes the next week will be key to Biden remaining in the race.

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) told CNN that the president’s events, including a press conference at next week’s NATO summit and rallies, will be “very telling” on whether Biden can move beyond the turmoil the debate performance has caused his candidacy.

“The fact that he can speak extemporaneously without a teleprompter or cue cards. The fact that he can interact with the public in various settings in an expressive way that puts to rest the doubts that have been raised,” Connolly said to CNN.

“If he can’t do that, then I think we are looking at some very hard judgments and hard choices we’re going to have to face as a party. What we can’t do is risk losing the White House to Donald Trump,” he added.

When asked by the outlet if Biden is the Democratic Party’s best hope for victory in November, Connolly said he is currently unsure.

“I don’t think we know that yet. I think everybody is waiting for the dust to settle from the aftermath of the debate,” Connolly said.

Biden has faced mounting questions about his age and mental acuity in the aftermath of his debate against former President Donald Trump last week in Atlanta. Multiple outlets have reported that Biden is aware of the poor performance and the coming week will be telling of his abilities to continue his campaign.

Three House Democrats have called on Biden to step aside, with Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) becoming the first to do so Tuesday. Connolly has not called on Biden to step aside but, like many other Democratic officials and politicians, has offered a blunt assessment of Biden’s current situation.

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Connolly represents a heavily Democratic district in northern Virginia — just outside of Washington, D.C. While Virginia has not been in play at the presidential level for Republicans in nearly two decades, Biden’s low polling figures have led some Republicans to believe Trump may make a play for the commonwealth. Trump held his first rally after the debate in southern Virginia alongside Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA).

The president is scheduled to appear on ABC News for an interview Friday evening and will be campaigning in the Midwest this weekend.