Blumenthal softens support for Biden: ‘I am deeply concerned’

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) told reporters that he is “deeply concerned” about President Joe Biden’s reelection chances.

“I am deeply concerned about Joe Biden winning this November because it is an existential threat if Donald Trump wins,” Blumenthal said. “I think we need to reach a conclusion as soon as possible. Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee has my support.”

Blumenthal’s call on both his party and Biden to settle calls for the president to step down, followed by reaffirming his support for the president, highlights the conundrum that Democratic leadership is in.

With news anchors asking questions about Biden’s cognitive ability, top Democratic leadership including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) remain publicly behind the president while a mounting list of Democratic Congress members wants the president out of the race.

In closed-door meetings, Democrats are divided on their support of Biden, with many fearing he will have a negative effect on races up and down the ballot.

Blumenthal’s concerns on Tuesday are a shift from the strong support he voiced previously.

“Biden is the Democratic nominee for president of the United States, he has my support. He needs to make his case aggressively and vigorously to the American people,” he said.

However, Blumenthal clarified his words to reporters saying that he himself worries about his election no matter what the circumstances may be — extending that same expectation to the president.

“Let me just be absolutely clear,” Blumenthal said. “Winning elections requires worrying about the results, no matter where you are, or whatever the election. I’ve always said that about my own election. I always run like I’m 10 points behind.

Pressure on Biden appeared to subside slightly on Monday after the president sent a letter to congressional Democrats telling them in no uncertain terms that he is going to stay in the race. Shortly after the letter was sent, Biden called into Morning Joe and reiterated his message for viewers and any officials watching.

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But the tide turned Wednesday when Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) made her own appearance on the program and opened the door for Democrats to continue asking in public the questions they had tried to keep under wraps the day before.

“I want him to do whatever he decides to do, and that’s the way it is,” Pelosi said. “It’s up to the president to decide if he is going to run. We’re all encouraging him to make that decision.”