According to recent reports, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has been privately signaling to donors that he is open to considering alternative Democratic presidential candidates for the 2024 election. This development comes in the wake of ongoing speculation about President Joe Biden’s political future and the Democratic Party’s strategy for the upcoming presidential race.
While Schumer has publicly expressed support for Biden, sources close to the Majority Leader indicate that he is willing to explore other options if necessary. This revelation suggests that some high-ranking Democrats may be re-evaluating the party’s approach to the 2024 election, with an eye toward ensuring the strongest possible candidate takes on the Republican nominee.
AXIOS
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is privately signaling to donors that he’s open to a Democratic presidential ticket that isn’t led by President Biden, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: In public, Schumer has been insistent that he is “for Joe.” In private, he’s singing a different tune.
- Over the last 12 days, Schumer has been listening to donors’ ideas and suggestions about the best way forward for the party, according to three people familiar with the matter.
- The majority leader is one of several Democrats, including former President Obama and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has the political and personal standing to convince Biden to step aside. Even so, Biden can still dig in and the delegates are pledged to him.
- “As I have made clear repeatedly publicly and privately, I support President Biden and remain committed to ensuring Donald Trump is defeated in November,” Schumer said in a statement after this story was published.
What we’re hearing: Both before and after the debate, Schumer’s famous flip phone burned up with donors, sharing their views. Schumer has been listening.
