Black lawmakers standing by Biden at a crucial moment. But a growing number are expressing concern (2024)

WASHINGTON — The Congressional Black Caucus prides itself on its authority among Democrats and its influence with President Joe Biden in particular. So far, only one of its roughly 60 members have joined calls for Biden to drop his reelection bid due to concerns over his age and ability to win.

But the caucus' broad backing of the president varies widely, ranging from enthusiastic support to outright skepticism. And a small but growing number within the group are publicly expressing doubts about Biden's candidacy.

Black voters are widely credited with helping Biden clinch the Democratic nomination four years ago and then defeat Republican Donald Trump. Whether Black lawmakers stick with the president now, and how fervently they do so, could be critical in the coming days aspressure buildsfrom the highest levels of the Democratic Party for Biden to end his campaign.

Biden’s approval ratings with Black Americans are down from when he took office, reflecting weakened enthusiasm. Among Democrats nationwide, nearly two-thirds say Biden should step aside and let his party nominate a different candidate, according toan AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll.

In that same poll, Black Democrats were split on whether Biden should remain or stand down as the nominee.

For now, the CBC remains a bedrock of Biden's support. Several members have emerged as prominent defenders.

“President Biden, as I’ve said repeatedly, is our nominee,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a member of the CBC, told reporters on Friday, calling Biden “one of the most accomplished American presidents in our history.”

“He has the vision, I believe, the ability, the capacity and the track record to make a case to the American people that will result in us being successful in November,” Jeffries said.

Rep. Joyce Beatty, a former CBC chair, said Biden is fully capable of campaigning effectively enough to beat Trump.

“Not only do I believe it, I know it,” Beatty said. “Biden is at his best against the odds.”

“I am a Biden delegate. I will only take directions from Joe Biden, not the Fourth Estate, not the billionaires, and not from my very influential colleagues," said Rep. Gwen Moore.

Still, a crack emerged Friday as Rep. Marc Veasey of Texas became the first CBC member to call for Biden's withdrawal. Ending his campaign, Veasey said in a joint statement with three other Democrats, is the “responsible and patriotic thing to do.”

The unprecedented upheaval over Biden's candidacy began June 27, when the president's performance in the debate against Trump stoked concerns about his age and ability to persuade doubtful voters. Biden gave meandering answers and frequently appeared to lose his train of thought as he struggled to parry Trump's attacks and make the case for his candidacy.

Democratic panic erupted immediately. As the furor deepened, Biden quickly held a virtual call with the CBC, his first meeting with a major group of lawmakers after the debate, to thank them for their support.

“You’ve had my back, and I promise I’m going to have yours,” he said.

Central to many CBC members' support of Biden is a sense that the stakes of the election mean any party infighting will harm the interests of Black Americans and the group's overwhelming priority of defeating Trump. CBC members have been adamant in private conversations that they must focus instead on mobilizing Black communities, Democrats’ most consistent voting bloc.

“What you hear and see from Black voters is a true reflection of the simple fact that in every election we are casting a survival vote,” said Antjuan Seawright, a Democratic strategist and senior adviser to Rep. Jim Clyburn, the South Carolina Democrat who endorsed Biden four years ago in his state's primary, paving the way for Biden's victory and consolidation of the Democratic field.

Clyburn, who remains one of Biden’s most influential supporters, hasexpressed openness to a hypothetical “mini-primary”should Biden step aside, though he later stressed he was speaking only in the hypothetical.

“We're now at a point where people are talking about, ‘Biden is too old.’ Hell, I'm older than Biden,” California Rep. Maxine Waters, who at 85 is four years older than the president, said during an appearance at theEssence Festival.

“I want to tell you, no matter what anybody else said, it ain't going to be no other Democratic candidate. It's going to be Biden and we better know it,” she added.

Much of the concern over Biden's candidacy revolves around the potential impact on all Democrats running for office.

Biden and Democrats are depending on overwhelming and enthusiastic support from Black voters to buoy their chances of victory in November, meaning high pessimism could be determinative in competitive races.

On July 10, Rep. Ritchie Torres of New Yorkwrote on social mediathat the party must have “a serious reckoning with the down-ballot effect of whomever we nominate” and that the decision should be guided by “an unsentimental analysis of the cold hard numbers — which have no personal feelings or political loyalties.”

Among Black activists and civil rights leaders, there is concern about low Black voter enthusiasm as communities grapple with issues like rising living costs.

“African Americans are more concerned with the policy priorities of whoever is the next president. They also want to see a president who is going to unify this country and focus more on solutions and not create dog whistles and soundbites that cause division,” said NAACP President Derrick Johnsonsaid.