President Biden struck a defiant tone Monday as he lashed out against the Democratic Party "elites" he accused of trying to force him out of the race.
Biden in a phone interview on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" blasted critics for questioning his mental acuity and ability to defeat former President Trump.
He said his support among grassroots Democrats remains unchanged and challenged his Democratic critics to either put up a convention fight or back off entirely.
Host Joe Scarborough is among Biden's closest media allies and said immediately after the debate Biden should consider exiting the race.
"I'm getting frustrated by the elites in the party, 'Oh, they know so much more.' Any of these guys that don't think I should run, run against me. Announce for president, challenge me at the convention," Biden told MSNBC.
"It drives me nuts people talking about this," the president added.
Biden's ire at the "elites" appears to be aimed at the Washington chattering class — cable news pundits, newspaper columnists and donors — who have so far led the calls for him to drop out.
In a separate letter to Democrats in Congress on Monday morning, Biden said he won the Democratic Party nomination fair and square.
"We had a Democratic nomination process and the voters have spoken clearly and decisively…this was a process open to anyone who wanted to run."
He said Democrats have aired their concerns about him since the debate and now it's time to turn the page and unite around his candidacy.
"The question of how to move forward has been well-aired for over a week now. And it's time for it to end….any weakening of resolve or lack of clarity about the task ahead only helps Trump and hurts us. It is time to come together, move forward as a unified party and defeat Donald Trump."
Biden separately sought to reassure worried donors.
Monday's blitz was received tepidly by the media, with some pointing out that the president did not face a real primary challenge:
- The Democratic National Committee did not schedule any debates.
- Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) was ostracized for challenging Biden.
- The only real drama on primary election nights centered around how many Democrats would vote "uncommitted" to protest Biden's handling of the war in Gaza.
Biden's phone-interview with MSNBC was also panned by some who saw it as an exercise in Trumpian theatrics. During the phone interview, Biden at times lost his train of thought as he riffled through printed pages to read instances of what he characterized as his GOP rival lying at the debate.
The president is seeking to shore up support among congressional allies and head-off a potential contested convention by arguing it goes against the will of the voters, noting the primaries are effectively over.
So far at least, the dam on Capitol Hill remains mostly intact:
- Only a handful of Democratic House members have gone on the record to call on Biden to drop out. Four additional members — all of whom are ranking members on key House committees — said on a private call this weekend Biden should step down.
- Several Black leaders who were critical to Biden's success in the 2020 primary have reaffirmed their support for him. Congressional Black Caucus Chair Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) is backing Biden.
- In the Senate, no Democrats have publicly called on Biden to drop out, although Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said Monday that about half the senators he's spoken to have "differing views" on the way forward. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) had tentative plans to hold a call with with colleagues on Monday, but he canceled once it leaked to the media.
An interview Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) gave to KULR8 on Monday is instructive of how many Democrats are discussing Biden. Tester is one of the most vulnerable Democrats running for reelction this cycle.
"President Biden has got to prove to the American people—including me—that he's up to the job for another four years. Meanwhile, I'll continue to do what I've always done: Stand up to President Biden when he's wrong and protect our Montana way of life," Tester said.
Many Democrats are straddling the issue, offering a tepid vote of confidence if Biden runs, but urging him to face hard facts.
"It should not be even close. And there's only one reason it is close, and that's the president's age," Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said Sunday on CNN. "He should take a moment to make the best informed judgment, and if the judgment is run, then run hard and beat that SOB."
The Biden campaign touted a Bloomberg/Morning Consult survey over the weekend that found Biden trailing in most battlegrounds but holding small leads in Michigan and Wisconsin. It also found Biden losing by 7 points in Pennsylvania, which he must win to have a shot at keeping the White House.
The Trump campaign is dreaming big after the debate and subsequent Democratic infighting.
The Hill's Julia Manchester, Alex Gangitano and Al Weaver report on how the Trump campaign is eyeing an expansion into traditionally blue states such as New Hampshire, Virginia and Minnesota.
Polls show a tight race in all three.
Perspectives:
The National Review: Joe Scarborough betrayed his viewers.
The New Republic: This is the week for Democrats to say what they believe.
The New York Times: Joe Biden in the goodest bunker ever.
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