Dem Statements Calling On Biden To Step Aside Could Come After NATO Presser

US President Joe Biden is scheduled to deliver a press conference to conclude the NATO Summit at the revised time of 18:30 ET 23:30. (Livestream) It is possible that a fresh wave of public statements from Democrat lawmakers calling on Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race could come after the presser, regardless of his performance. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), while strongly signalling that Biden should withdraw, yesterday noted Dem lawmakers should, "hold off" until after the NATO summit.

• So far, relatively few sitting lawmakers have made public statements opposing Biden's re-election. The NYT tracksthe tally at 9 Reps and 1 Senator, however numerous others have made statements which can be interpreted as nudging Biden towards the exit.
• Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a close Biden ally, said yesterday: “I have complete confidence that Joe Biden will do the patriotic thing for the country... and I’m going to respect the decision he makes.”
• Lisa Desjardins at PBS reports: "There are more members with statements in working form, ready to call on Biden to step aside or say he cannot win."
• Democrats appear to be rapidly coalescing around a consensus that Biden likely cannot win re-election in November and shouldn’t be the Dem nominee. However, a collective action problem has so far prevented a mass rebellion.
• Two signs yesterday point to a shift: Former President Barack Obama reportedly didn't object to actor George Clooney publishing an op-ed calling on Biden to drop out (Politico). And Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), “is privately signaling to donors that he’s open to a Democratic presidential ticket that isn’t led by Biden.” (Axios)