Senior Democratic officials made it clear Friday morning that they were still behind the president. When asked by reporters if Biden should step down, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said no. Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro and Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer, whose names have been floated as possible presidential candidates down the line, also expressed support for Biden following the debate, as did California governor Gavin Newsom (who was in the Atlanta spin room on Thursday night for the president’s campaign).
Some prominent Democrats seemed more reluctant to comment on Biden’s performance. The New York Times reports that former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Congressman Jim Clyburn avoided questions the morning after the debate, rushing past reporters in the U.S. Capitol.
On Friday morning, Senator John Fetterman said he has no plans to join the chorus of voices calling for Biden to step down, alluding to his own personal experience with a debate disaster:
