Democrats split on Biden's survival strategy

• Some are calling on Biden's campaign to let him loose and allow for more unscripted moments on the campaign trail, leaning into his penchant for retail politics.
• Others insist that Biden's team, already under fire for insulating him, should further minimize potential risks and even skip a second debate.

What we're hearing: "What will make a difference [is] if he goes out there, off-prompter, and makes the case in no uncertain terms. That would do it. That would put to rest the very serious concerns," said Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio).

• Another House Democrat said Biden "needs to get out, he needs to make his case, he needs to be unscripted ... it all depends on that."
• But that's a high-risk strategy that counts on the 81-year-old president not having the kind of awkward debate night moments that have jeopardized his re-election bid.

The other side: Another House Democrat said Biden is on "political probation," and that "while some have been calling for him to do more unscripted interviews, town halls, etc., the truth is — if this is where he's forcing us to be — we need him to do less."

• "Just stick with the prompters, don't screw anything up, don't even think about a second debate, and try to ride this thing out," they added.
• That tactic would carry its own risks — reinforcing the idea that Biden is too old and unfit to serve.

State of play: As lawmakers met in Washington on Tuesday to assess Biden's miserable June 27 debate, Congress was full of anxiety — and even tears among some House Democrats.

• The president and his allies had their victories and setbacks, the latter including a new analysis by the Cook Political Report that moved three swing states — Arizona, Georgia and Nevada — to "Lean Republican."
• But in the House, vulnerable lawmakers who wanted Biden off the ticket saw their revolt crumble, as much of the caucus threw its support behind the president.
• Then in the evening, Rep Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) became the seventh House Democrat to call for Biden to step aside, urging Biden to "help lead us through a process toward a new nominee."

Zoom in: The verdict on Biden's future was more mixed. Nearly all day, members insisted in public that they needed more time to process the political impact of Biden's bad debate.

• Behind closed doors, however, two of the Senate's most endangered Democrats in the November, Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.), told their colleagues that Biden can't win November.

• A third, Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) said so on CNN later Tuesday night, becoming the first senator to publicly say Biden can't win.

Biden's staunchest supporters, such as Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), pitched fellow Democrats on the dangers of another Trump presidency and defended some of Biden's most glaring weaknesses.

• Others who are skeptical that Biden can defeat Trump said the conversation was "constructive" but many remain unmoved.

What to watch: There is a third camp of Biden defenders who agree with the more active strategy — but argue the president already is putting it into action.

• "He has heard broadly a message: 'You need to get out there. You need to engage. You need to do press interviews.' And he is doing it," Coons said.
• Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) said that in subduing Democrats' calls for his withdrawal on Monday, Biden showed "he's tough. When he takes a punch that he's going to punch back harder."

What they're saying: "Republicans every single day of this cycle are forced to answer for their support for abortion bans, shipping jobs abroad, and undermining our democracy," Biden campaign spokesperson Mia Ehrenberg said in a statement.

• "This election, whether it's top of ticket or a state election, will be decided on the issues that matter most to voters, which is why Democrats will win this November."