Scoop: Biden panic becomes a Democratic fundraising pitch
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Rep. Josh Harder at the Capitol on Nov. 17, 2021. Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images.
The Democratic Party's anxiety over President Biden's candidacy is beginning to make its way into congressional Democrats' fundraising appeals, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: Concerns about the 81-year-old president's ability to win have prompted some Democrats running for Congress to turn to the argument that they are needed as a check on former President Trump.
- Some Democrats have also tried to distance themselves from Biden in order to maintain their re-election prospects.
Driving the news: The campaign of Rep. Josh Harder (D-Calif.), a swing-district House member, sent out a fundraising email with the subject line "I'm concerned" on Friday, according to a copy obtained by Axios.
- "I'm feeling really concerned about the upcoming election. We obviously all know what's happening at the top of the ticket with Biden, and that has me worried what it means for toss-up races like ours," the email says.
- "We can't afford to lose Democratic districts like mine, especially because the House will be the only check left on a potential President Trump."
- Harder's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Between the lines: The email offers a glimpse into a strategy that Democratic lawmakers and strategists say will likely become increasingly dominant in down-ballot messaging if Trump maintains his narrow lead.
- House Democrats told Axios in the immediate aftermath of Biden's dismal debate performance last month that it drove increased donor interest in fighting for control of Congress.
- Some swing-district House Democrats, fearful about Biden's impact on races down the ballot, have publicly urged him to drop his re-election bid.
Yes, but: Loyalty to Biden is also a pitch for at least one battleground Democrat – Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), one of Congress' most vocal proponents for keeping Biden on the ballot.
- In a fundraising text on Thursday, Fetterman's campaign sent a screenshot of his post on X pushing back on a New York Times editorial calling for Biden to exit the presidential race.
- "I'll never stop fighting against ^^^ this garbage," the text says, referring to calls for Biden to withdraw.
