Rep. Jamie Raskin says 'honest and serious conversations are taking place' about Biden's political future after debate

[ClearSky24]

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/jamie-raskin-biden-campaign-debate-performance-nominee-rcna159662

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., on Sunday acknowledged that there are “very honest, and serious and rigorous conversations taking place” in the Democratic Party following President Joe Biden’s dismal performance at the presidential debate on Thursday.

"We’re having a serious conversation about what to do," Raskin said in an interview with MSNBC’s Ali Velshi on Sunday morning, adding:

"One thing I can tell you is that regardless of what President Biden decides, our party is going to be unified, and our party also needs him at the very center of our deliberations in our campaign, and so whether he’s the candidate or someone else is the candidate."

[Fiendish Thingy]

1. I guess Raskin didn't get the memo from DU

We’re not supposed to even MENTION such topics, let alone discuss them- too scary and depressing.

[bigtree]

4. I'm sorry, what is it about Raskin that makes his rhetoric involiable?

...he, like all of the other people who are effectively angling to put Joe Biden's campaign in some sort of limbo, is doing a disservice to the campaign to posit that he might drop out.

Imo, this kind of chatter just denigrates our candidate, and Raskin has no way forward, so it's just an exercise in futility and it's damaging.

This chatter:

"whether he’s the candidate or someone else is the candidate.”

The party isn't going to succeed with someone who only has 4 months to campaign, so this is unnecessary and misleading.

Go back and look at what 'President' Humphrey thought about that.

[Fiendish Thingy]

8. What got my attention was his acknowledgment that conversations about next steps were taking place

It shows that the party and the campaign, rather than sticking their fingers in their ears and shouting “LALALALALALALA!”, are acknowledging reality and exploring the best path forward.

Let us hope their discussions are rational and fruitful.

[bigtree]

32. you mean a group of people who haven't yet taken any responsibility for the campaign

...were discussing whether to unravel it because of one debate night.

Got it.

Hope they didn't hurt themselves bandying around all of that concern.

What did they actually accomplish but this cynical report in the news? There's zero here that supports our presumptive nominee that several million of us voted to run.

It's really a star chamber which contemplated taking that choice out of the hands of voters.

[Fiendish Thingy]

50. Star chamber?

If the knives are well and truly out for Joe from within the party, then we are all fucked beyond anyone’s worst nightmares, and this whole campaign has been a charade.

Or, is it just possible some veteran Dems are having an understandable reaction to the what some, including some veteran Dems, consider to be the worst debate performance by any candidate, ever?

I am witholding judgment until I see and know more, but I appreciate Raskin’s openness and honesty.

[True Dough]

126. As do I

Jamie Raskin has NEVER struck-me as a Machiavellian type. The easiest thing for him to do would have been to go on that Sunday politics show and give the "We stand behind our candidate" blather, which he pointed out is what the ReThugs do no matter how many felony convictions and Dictator Donny's numerous other flaws.

In the end, maybe everybody does fall in line behind Joe Biden, but I too appreciate Raskin acknowledging that the Dems are carefully considering options rather than blindly pushing forward with no further thought.

[honest.abe]

133. I do not think "the knives are out" to get rid of Joe.

I think its your second explanation. Many Dems are reacting to Joe's debate performance and worried he may not be able to win this election. Which is a reasonable concern.

[TheProle]

11. "I'm sorry, what is it about Raskin that makes his rhetoric involiable?"

Nothing. But we now have a senior lawmaker going on the record, so it’s moved beyond DU’s media conspiracies.

[EarlG]

16. I'm not sure he's saying what you think he's saying

Seems to me he's talking about what might happen if Biden made the choice to drop out --reassuring Democrats that if Biden made that choice, there would be a contigency plans in place to unite the party moving forward.

But since all signs point to Biden not dropping out, it's moot.

I don't think Raskin is talking about plans to force Biden out, much as the media would like us to think so.

[LisaL]

21. Well, Biden is not dropping out so Raskin shouldn't worry about it.

If that is what he was saying.
And I am very curious as to how does he think the party is going to be united if hypothetically Biden were to drop out? How would we all agree on a different candidate? That imaginary candidate didn't go through primaries and didn't win a single vote.
How would the party be united beyond such imaginary candidate?

[bigtree]

44. I think it's a bit more than that, or had the potential to be

...it's not as if there are any reports that the President is contemplating withdrawing.

This was a discussion to see if these elected Democrats had any interest in him withdrawing. It's not like this was a campaign event, or even something the president was involved in, so it's a group of legislators discussing Joe Biden's political future like they had a purchase on his campaign, instead of individual legislators expressing self-interest, whatever they decided.

You have to wonder what would have happened if they had come to a consensus Biden should withdraw. Would they pressure him out? Take him aside and basically tell him they're abandoning him. Bully him out?

This wasn't just some benignity.

[EarlG]

47. Fair enough

The whole thing seems weirdly vague, with a hefty dose of NBC editorializing. Who knows? Either way, we're still not seeing any big name Democrats coming out and calling for Biden to step aside, nor does that seem to be what Raskin is doing here.

[bigtree]

49. to be fair

...I take your point that this is likely an inaccurate and deliberately gaslighting report.

I mean, I just looked up Raskin and saw him in an appearance praising our nominee and expressing extreme confidence in his continuing and winning.

I'm going to guess though, that more than a few of his colleagues got a bit ahead of their skis on this.

[EarlG]

52. It seems likely

I don't think Raskin could realistically answer, "Why no, we haven't talked about the debate performance at all!" That would sound silly, especially when you've got a handful of unnamed lawmakers and operatives whispering to Jonathan Allen. But whatever those discussions may or may not have been, it seems that the result is that lots of high profile Democrats are going on the record to defend Biden, whereas the critics are staying in the shadows.

Folks getting ahead of their skis seems like an accurate description.

[bigtree]

36. so you have senior legislators who are also meddling with our votes

...contemplating whether to negate those by what, bullying Biden out of the race?

What did they think they were going to accomplish? All I see here is a news report which further denigrates our presumptive nominee, and purports to take the choice out of voters' hands in some kind of star chamber consensus.

Chilling. Glad they're as toothless as they appear.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

116. Got that right!!

[MorbidButterflyTat]

54. What's to discuss?

President Biden is the Democratic nominee, decided by voters; not over paid arrogant full-of-themselves pundits, not despicable MAGAts, not complicit media.

Also, who's scared? What's depressing is Democrats turning against our accomplished, non-felon, non-criminal president.

[EndlessWire]

94. And yet

a week or so ago he was out riding a bike. Maybe he needs a weekly bike ride in public to appear fit.

He might be suffering from arthritis, a condition that might need support, and which benefits from exercise. He appears to be cognitively intact. He has no balance problem for riding a bike. He has a good memory.

I'd rather have an honest man who cares about our country. He cares about US. If anything happens to Joe, Kamala will step up. She is smart and capable.

So, there's nothing to worry about, except for Trump getting back into office. If Trump gets back into office, we will not have a country anymore.

[Silent Type]

112. Unfortunately, he's looked that way before, though not as obvious. If I thought it wouldn't happen again,

I wouldn’t worry. Yes, trump was worse and broke lie-meter, except people will likely remember what trump said when Biden really lost his train of thought.

Maybe, they’ll sentence trump to a firing squad behind courthouse on July 11. Surely, there’s some justification in the Constitution or Bible. Our nightmare will be over.

[PeaceWave]

108. You picked up on every single thing me and my family saw.

[dlk]

130. Sarcasm isn't helpful

Given the stakes of this election, neither are calls to replace Biden, when anyone who actually understands how our elections work knows that won’t be happening. Why waste time with pointless distractions?

[Think. Again.]

2. Glad to hear this...

...it's step one toward telling everyone "yes, we gave it all the serious thought it deserved and concluded that Biden is our candidate."

[LisaL]

3. Voters have already concluded this.

Biden got enough votes to get the nomination.

[Think. Again.]

5. I agree.

[Irish_Dem]

72. I agree. The issue must be discussed or we stay stuck.

Discussing it helps move things forward.

The problem is that we don't have all the information the leadership has.

[orange jar]

6. A good, nuanced take from Raskin.

[peggysue2]

13. Agreed!

He's not blowing off those who have 'concerns,' not only some voters but also donors who may feel skittish. He's telling everyone that Democratic leadership is weighing things carefully and considering all views. It's a way of tamping down the panic.

[Irish_Dem]

74. We don't know what it means at this point.

Yes it could be a way to respect those with legitimate concerns.
To let the voters know they are taking concerns seriously.

This is much better than name calling and threats.

However it could mean that the leadership is seriously considering a change.

This is a major departure from previous leadership comments.

[peggysue2]

81. You're right, Irish

We don't know for sure. I'm just gauging Raskin's comment and his past decisions. He doesn't strike me as the panicky type.

We shall see!

[Irish_Dem]

83. I agree very much. Raskin is a serious and sober voice.

So his comments carry a great deal of weight.

Something is going on.

It sounds like Biden is making some decisions.

[Blue Cape]

7. I am logging off.

We will know more tomorrow. Time for a beer.

[anciano]

30. Same here.

Cheers 🍺

[bucolic_frolic]

9. Wow. These are serious conversations if Raskin is involved.

[LisaL]

10. Whatever conversations Raskin is having, Biden has won the primaries and got enough votes

for a nomination.

[dweller]

12. Take the time to listen to the clip

And not just what you read above

After listening I believe what Raskin said was : As Democrats we are approaching this matter with all serious consideration from many voices and that in the end it’s Joe Biden’s decision … we are not like authoritarians who only have 1 voice making all decisions ( like the diktator)

NBC has an agenda and it shows


✌🏻

[EarlG]

34. I havent heard the clip so I could be wrong, but

I came to the same conclusion as you from reading the quotes. "'Honest and serious conversations are taking place" are Raskin's words, but "about Biden's political future after debate" is an editorial comment added by NBC.

I think the "honest and serious conversations" are about what would happen if Biden chose to quit the race of his own accord, not to decide his political future for him.

[dweller]

46. True

And Raskin said all of the talk is taking place with Biden as the main player in the decisions , not without him


✌🏻

[questionseverything]

57. When our candidate is 81 shouldn't we always have a backup plan in place?

[doc03]

63. Plan "B" is more of Plan "A" nt

[dlk]

131. We do

We have a vice president.

[Irish_Dem]

75. What do you mean about Raskin and NBC's agenda?

[dweller]

92. I didn't say Raskin ... agenda

I said NBC has an agenda
Several stories today implying more than what was said etc

✌🏻

[Irish_Dem]

95. You mean NBC is not quoting Raskin accurately?

What do you think is incorrect?

[dweller]

102. Link in the OP

is to Velshi/Raskin segment

See for yourself

✌🏻

[Irish_Dem]

105. Article is just quoting the video.

I don't see any difference.

[Irish_Dem]

73. This is what it sounds like to me.

The day after the debate the leadership was backing Biden.

Now they are in serious talks.

There is something going on.
We don't have all the information.

[EarlG]

14. I'm still not hearing it

The media is trying their utmost to turn this into a thing. Jonathan Allen at NBC has put out two pieces in the last 24 hours full of unnamed sources whispering that Democrats are talking about forcing Biden to step aside. I have no doubt that these people and their opinions are real, but the fact that they are not willing to put their names on the record tells me that this is not a popular opinion. Otherwise they'd be happily speaking out in public -- but they're not.

Even in Raskin's comments here, it seems to me that he is not talking about discussions to force Biden out, but rather, contigency plans for what would happen if Biden made the choice to drop out. Which is a choice he could make if he wanted to -- but he's not going to.

So far I have only heard high profile Democrats defending Biden and saying the party will be united moving forward. Meanwhile all the people who are whispering about replacing him are opting to remain unnamed. It certainly suggests which side of the argument has more traction among party leaders.

[TexasDem69]

31. I would not support any effort to force Biden out

He can make his own decisions and we should support him. I’m pretty confident he’s staying in the race.

[lapucelle]

40. Ah, yes. Jonathan Allen...

[Irish_Dem]

77. But why is Raskin talking about Biden possibly dropping out?

And Biden is said to be going to Camp David to talk with his family.

Raskin is highly respected and speaks seriously.
He is not someone to just run his mouth.

I think something is going on behind the scenes.

And yes it is a departure from what the rest of the leadership has been saying.

Like you, I have been thinking the Dem leadership was solid and unanimous in their
support of Biden. Based on this I even made an OP that Biden will be the nominee.

Now I am not sure.

[LisaL]

79. Trip to Camp David was scheduled before the debate.

Biden isn't going there because of the debate.

[MOMFUDSKI]

15. Shame on him. Joe's advisers got

steamrolled by clown’s advisors. Clown’s dilated pupils indicate adderall taken so he was able to control himself for 2 minutes at a time. No insistence on a drug test just prior to air time. Putting Joe on notice to attack instead of explain what he has done. Allowing no fact checking by the mods. It was a bloodbath that a good team of advisors would have known how to avoid. Fire the whole lot.

[EarlG]

22. Read it one more time?

Is he saying the discussions are about potentially forcing Biden out, or just about what would happen if Biden himself made the decision to drop out? I think its the latter. I don't hear Raskin advocating for the former.

[LisaL]

26. What makes him think Biden could drop out?

Biden is clearly not dropping out.

[EarlG]

41. I just went and watched the clip at the link

I don't think he said anything close to what NBC is spinning this as. He said it was a bad debate performance (fair) and that Democrats were having a discussion about what to do. He didn't say anything about the party talking about replacing Biden. That's NBC's editorializing.

[gab13by13]

51. The problem is that my local TV channels are spinning this the other way,

Raskin's comments will be taken out of context and used against Joe.

I even heard a report that David Axelrod was talking about Joe dropping out and that is not at all what he said. Axelrod basically said that talk of Joe dropping out now is not an option. Axelrod said that any discussion of a different candidate should have occurred over a year ago.

But that's not what's happening right now in the MSM. members of DU are the staunchest Democrats I know and some are talking about considering that Joe should drop out. You wrote a fantastic thread recently that explained why Joe can't drop out now.

[MOMFUDSKI]

53. Just the fact that he uttered those words is

ridiculous. Playing right into the enemy’s hands. It was a setup that Joe’s people should have seen coming and had a plan for. Shit

[Irish_Dem]

78. YES: "One thing I can tell you is that regardless of what President Biden decides"

It sounds like to me the decision is being left up to Biden.
That Biden is thinking it over.

[TexasDem69]

35. So now we're accusing Trump of taking drugs?

As an excuse for Biden’s poor performance? WTF?

[GenThePerservering]

17. Seems like Raskin is just getting ahead

of the media fearmongering and chatter with a declaration on record of what they will and will not do. It was a wise decision.

[LisaL]

19. After listening to him, I am confused on what exactly they will and will not do.

WTF is he saying?

[bluestarone]

18. I'm only interested in ONE persons decision here. That's

JOE'S!!

[orange jar]

20. That's essentially what Raskin's saying.

[LisaL]

24. If you have to guess as to WTF he was actually saying it wasn't a good speech.

I am confused as to WTF he is actually suggesting.

[Irish_Dem]

82. That is what Raskin is saying, they will support Biden's decision.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

23. Gee

"Several lawmakers told NBC News on Friday that it was time to replace Biden as the nominee, including one who said it’s 'time to talk about an open convention and a new Democratic nominee,' but none have attached their names to their remarks."

I wonder why? Could it be these lawmakers are MAGAts? Or perhaps figments of someone's imagination, designed to collect clicks and/or likes and fuck over Democrats? Hm.

[Demsrule86]

28. Yeah, that is because it is made up bull shit.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

33. Agree.

So sick of it.

No one says a damn thing about that POS criminal felon dropping out. WTF.

My head right now:

[DemocraticPatriot]

37. There's one congressman who already talked about it during the primary campaign:

Dean "who" Phillips

[EarlG]

45. I dont think its made up

But I think its clearly a highly unpopular opinion among the party if they're too cowardly to put their names on the record.

[Irish_Dem]

97. But Raskin is making public comments.

I think this is significant.

[EarlG]

121. Hopefully Raskin will clarify

He's left this comment dangling out there about "serious conversations" while being incredibly vague about what these "conversations" were actually about, and who has been having them.

Most other top Dems have been clear in their continued support for Biden. Raskin should clean this up one way or the other, so we have a better understanding of what he's talking about.

[Irish_Dem]

122. EarlG, I think Raskin's comments are clear.

I have read the article a number of times and listened to the video tape.
We know that Raskin is a credible source of information and a straight shooter.
His comments are unambiguous.

But yes his comments are a departure from Pelosi, Clinton, Obama and other leadership
comments the day after the debate. This is what is confusing us.

We’re having a serious conversation about what to do,” Raskin said in an interview with MSNBC’s Ali Velshi on Sunday morning, adding: “One thing I can tell you is that regardless of what President Biden decides, our party is going to be unified, and our party also needs him at the very center of our deliberations in our campaign, and so whether he’s the candidate or someone else is the candidate.”

1."We’re having a serious conversation about what to do."
Dem leaders are having conversations about who will be the nominee.

2."One thing I can tell you is that regardless of what President Biden decides"
Joe Biden is making a decision about whether or not he will be the nominee.

3. "so whether he’s the candidate or someone else is the candidate."
The conversations and decisions are about who will be the nominee.

I have no agenda about what Biden and the leadership decides. They have more information than we do obviously. And it sounds like Biden is making some decisions.

[EarlG]

123. Our interpretations are pretty much in line

I think the only bone of contention is point 1: "We're having a serious conversation about what to do."

I assumed from the comments -- given points 2 and 3 -- that the upshot of the whole thing is that ultimately it's Biden's decision, and the discussions were about what to do in the event that he chooses not to move forward.

Others have concluded that the discussions were about forcing Biden to step aside. I don't think that's what Raskin was saying -- but if it was, then yeah, we're in new territory. If top Dems stick together then this whole thing likely blows over. If they start splitting apart and shooting their mouths off, then that could be disastrous. Hence, I think some clarification would be useful.

[Irish_Dem]

129. I agree, Raskin is saying it is Biden's choice

Yes Raskin is saying the decision to stay or leave is up to Biden.
And that the Dem leadership supports Biden either way.

But in reality there is most likely some bi-directionality.

Joe would take into account what other Dem leaders are saying and what is best for the American people.

[Irish_Dem]

84. Do you think Raskin is making up BS?

[Demsrule86]

25. Biden is not getting out over a fucking debate. Give me a break...we would lose if he did... period.

So...lets help him win and not have more of these shitty threads. Raskin should be ashamed.

[GoreWon2000]

27. Disappointed by Raskin

Once again, it looks like democratic party leadership is allowing we the people's votes to be taken away again just like in 2000. Millions of democrats, myself included voted for Biden in the primaries and want our votes counted. Given the threat that Trump poses to our country, the world and democracy itself, bullying Biden to get out of the race when it's the twice impeached, 4 times indicted, convicted felon/rapist/financial fraudster Trump and his Project 2025 how to create an American dictatorship who should be booted from the race.

[LisaL]

29. I agree.

Any imaginary new candidate didn't win a single vote. Thus it's very hard to understand how the party could possibly be united behind this imaginary new candidate.

[DemocraticPatriot]

39. We wouldn't be. But it is not the goal of the media to give us a 'better' candidate

with a united Democratic party behind them---

It's their goal to push President Biden out of the race,
in order for "Democrats in disarray" chaos to reign all summer with which they can sell clicks to their websites...

[LisaL]

42. It was Raskin who claimed that the party is going to be united, whatever happens.

I fail to see how it would be possible for the party to be united behind this imaginary new candidate.

[onecaliberal]

48. If they do this. I'm out and I will never vote again.

[StarryNite]

58. I'm with you on this.

Actually we will probably never be allowed to vote again if tRump winds up back in the White House. I truly believe our democracy is at stake. This is not a normal election with a normal Republican running against Biden where we would just have to grin and bear it for four years. Our country will never be the same if Project 2025 is put in place and it will be if tRump is back in the White House.

[ClickClack]

61. Yes, don't vote -- so you can stand tall & proud when the Orange Diaperload wins?

"If they do this, I'm out and I will never vote again." Yeah, that will teach them.

[electric_blue68]

96. 100,000 Recs

you beat me to it

[onecaliberal]

110. I have voted in every fucking election since I turned 18.

I Already voted for Biden in the primary if they replace him, my vote does not count and does not matter. I’m so over the epic fucking stupidity. I’m not handing that son of a bitch a win, the bed wetters are. The ones who can’t hear the propaganda blaring in their ears. I’m the one who has supported the president from the jump. Liars don’t win debates: maybe people need to read the transcripts.

[honest.abe]

136. What if it is determined that Joe is actually deteriorating mentally and physically and decides to drop out?

Would you still not vote?

[electric_blue68]

91. And what the heck good does That do?! You just can't not vote against drumphf Whomever the Democrats' Candidate is! I

support Biden
1) after reading about Obama's first debat (which I didn't watch)
2) Watching Biden's NC Rally, and his visit post debate to that restaurant
3) Lawrence O'Donnell 's Friday's broadcast
4) Jeff Tiedrich's piece

Apologies if I Misinterpreted your post!

[Irish_Dem]

101. This is Putin's goal.

Liberals never vote again.

[onecaliberal]

134. Nice attack. Keep trying.

[Irish_Dem]

135. I will never stop speaking out against Putin.

And warning people about the traps he has set up.

It saddens me a great deal to see people fall right into those traps over and over.

[NoRethugFriends]

115. Way to cut off everyone's noses to spite your face. Incredibly mature.

[oldmanlynn]

119. You should vote dem all the way. If the party collectively

Thinks the odds of beating trump are better with a different player then support the party and its efforts to defeat trump and facism. Staying home is a vote for fascism

[honest.abe]

125. Now that is a ridiculous childish comment.

[Irish_Dem]

86. Raskin states he supports Biden's decision.

It is not Dem leadership.

[Torchlight]

38. I'm beginning to think the game is who can make the most dramatic inference from the least amount of information.

Generic generic statements, about vague contignecids based on iunnkown decisions covering all bases don't really seem lend an aboslute conclusion a definitive place.

[DemocraticPatriot]

43. I have it from absolute definitive anonymous sources that Donald Trump

fucks pigs

[airplaneman]

139. Are you sure it's not the other way around. N/T.

[DemocraticPatriot]

140. I give Pigs credit for having better taste than that...

[Goodheart]

55. Is Raskin a Russian troll?

[ClickClack]

62. Have you been gargling with bath salts?

[Irish_Dem]

89. Raskin is not a Russian troll.

[LakeArenal]

56. BS Rep Raskin. Love you but....BS

[StarryNite]

60. We stood behind Raskin during his battle with cancer.

Now one poor showing in a debate and he's ready to bail out on Biden? It's not like tRump did well. For goodness sake he sucked and went off in loser la la land lying all the way through it.

[Freethinker65]

59. Raskin's comments were fine up until the "someone else" comment.

One would expect ALL campaigns get continually reassessed, that honest/serious/rigorous conversations continually occur, and that the candidate is always involved in the decision making process.

Unless President Biden is suffering from a new medical condition that requires him to step down from his current office AND the nomination, speculation from the media and comments from those with no real new information (including Raskin) is attention getting nonsense.

[doc03]

64. Coming from Raskin they must be very serious discussions. Watch the

polls this week.

[Raven123]

65. I agree the discussions must be serious

I found his comments open and unsettling. Though for many reasons, I hope the Dems haven’t been only poll watching.

[Irish_Dem]

99. Yes I found his comments unsettling as well.

He said he supports Biden's decisions.
Sounds like Biden is doing some thinking.

[Raven123]

128. If the WaPo article cited in another thread is accurate

Jill Biden’s comment that Joe said he didn’t know what happened to him Thursday is unhelpful. Personally, I wish she hadn’t said that publicly (again assuming the quote is accurate). I know her heart is in the right place.

[Irish_Dem]

132. Jebus.

For the love of God, have the Biden advisors gone completely AWOL?

This is not damage control.

[Irish_Dem]

90. You are 100% correct.

Coming from Raskin this is very serious.

[Demsrule86]

66. Done with this stuff...trash.

[JohnSJ]

69. Excellent point. Unfortunately this is in the general discussion category, so I can't trash the group because of

other discussions talking place, but unless President Biden wants to get out, and he said he doesn't, he is our nominee.

I am done with this specific topic for now unless something changes, President Biden is our candidate.

[JohnSJ]

67. Of course members of the progressive caucus would like someone from the left so we can repeat 1972

The decision is entirely up to Joe Biden period. End of story

[LisaL]

68. And Biden has no desire to step down whatsoever.

NT

[JohnSJ]

70. I know, I am just speculating where some may be coming from, and why an open convention has the potential

to really put us in disarray.

[Irish_Dem]

71. Two days ago, Dem leaders were all supporting Biden.

Today the cracks are appearing.

Raskin is highly respected and he is being frank about discussions.

[LisaL]

76. Well he is delusional if he thinks the party can remain

united if they force Biden to step down.

[LiberalFighter]

85. In situations like this they need to zip it.

All this does is put more pressure on Joe and Jill.

I like Raskin but he is out of bounds with his comments.

[StarryNite]

87. I agree.

[LisaL]

88. I like him too, but I find it hard to understand as to

WTF he is thinking with these comments.

[Irish_Dem]

93. It is not like Raskin to speak carelessly.

Or out of turn.

Something is up.

[FBaggins]

98. I don't see how his statement even makes sense

Regardless of what the President decides, we're going to be unified... but we're having rigorous and serious conversations about what to do?

[Irish_Dem]

100. He hopes the party stays unified no matter what happens.

Whatever Biden decides, we will stay united.

This is what he is saying.

[LisaL]

103. Biden does not want to drop out.

That much is clear.

[honest.abe]

104. This sounds like it's getting serious if someone like Raskin is openly saying this.

I think this is going to snowball.

[brush]

106. WTH? It's too late to make a change. Back Joe and go after the ciminal rapist.

Not rocket science.

[oldmanlynn]

120. If the convention of delegates picks a different candidate then that

Is what happens. An open convention. The party has to put the best candidate forward and we ( supporting the fight against fascism) must unite and stay together and vote like the future depends on it

[dflprincess]

107. Raskin also mentioned that the fact these conversations are happening

shows that we have healthy political party, not a cult afraid to question itself or its leaders. (Paraphrasing)

[LisaL]

109. Yea, super healthy.

The people have voted. Is the party going to ignore that? Is that healthy? Why even have primaries then?

[Silent Type]

111. Good. I hope they come up with the best strategy, even if that is Biden and support

to smash GOPers.

[pansypoo53219]

113. dumb dumb dumb. hillary won all 3 handily + DID SHE WIN? joe ain't hillary or lurch.

[dlk]

114. Jamie Raskin knows better

It’s too late to put someone else on the ballot in all 50 states. Who is pushing this propaganda? Joe is our nominee, period.

[honest.abe]

124. That's why this is significant.

He does know “better” yet he is publicly saying this. Clearly something is afoot.

[nakocal]

117. This should be Biden's last election

He should not run for a third term in 2028.

[Polybius]

141. Let's pretend that he could (no 22nd Amendment) and did in 2028

How many here would still say that we shouldn't primary a sitting President, and that "Biden's the only one who can beat DeSantis"? Plenty I bet.

[helpisontheway]

118. Deleted

[FBaggins]

127. I wouldn't discount the self-serving possibility

I wasn’t sure why Raskin (a relatively junior party member - but elevated among the further left wing of the party) would be involved in actual discussions like this - let alone be authorized to talk about it to the press.

Then I saw that young turks guy pushing for an open convention and denying that the VP has any more right to the delegates than anyone else. He listed three governors that would be better candidates… then dropped in Raskin’s name.

[honest.abe]

137. I doubt this is about Raskin having interest in being a replacement candidate.

I think he and others are seriously concerned about Joe as many of us are.

[FBaggins]

138. I'm concerned as well

But he’s simply being dishonest to claim that the party will be united. It can’t possibly be

As soon as that Pandora’s box is opened - it’s a fight over the future of the party. And while he isn’t a substantial party leader, he is a leader in one faction of the party. Whether he’s the candidate… or jockeying for Sanders for this cycle… or looking toward 2028… I can’t discount that his announcement is self serving.

I can’t think of a good reason to say anything at all otherwise. He certainly isn’t speaking for the administration

[LisaL]

142. Exactly.

There is a snowball chance in hell the party will be united if it does anything of the sort.