Watch: Biden denies that top Democrats want him to quit race
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President Biden denied in an interview with ABC News Friday that top Democrats in Congress want him to step aside — and rejected "hypotheticals" about what he would do if close allies urged him to withdraw.
Why it matters: As of Friday's taping, only a handful House Democrats had publicly called for Biden to quit the race. But momentum is growing, and Biden's post-debate interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos is unlikely to stem the tide.
Driving the news: Some Democrats fear that Biden's weakness at the top of the ticket could cost the party control of the House and Senate.
What they're saying: Biden said that he speaks with Democratic leaders in Congress "regularly," including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).
- "I've [spoken] to all of them in detail, including [former House Democratic Whip] Jim Clyburn. Every one of them. They all said I should stay in the race," Biden insisted.
- Asked what he would do if that changed, Biden shot back: "They're not going to do that."
Biden went on to say that "all the governors" he met with at the White House on Wednesday were united in wanting him to remain in the race.
- Notably, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, a top ally, urged Biden to consider dropping out in a statement on Friday.
The intrigue: Biden dismissed a report that Senate Intelligence Chairman Mark Warner (D-Va.) is organizing a meeting for Democratic senators on Monday to discuss the president's path forward.
- "Well, Mark is a good man. We've never had that — he also tried to get the nomination too," Biden said. "Mark and I have a different perspective."
- Warner, the former governor of Virginia, considered pursuing the 2008 Democratic nomination but never launched a campaign.
