Democrats see "aura of inevitability" around Biden withdrawal

• Still, Biden has only ever said publicly that he is not dropping out, and a senior Biden aide also told Axios: "In recent days, the president has become more committed to staying in the race."
• Biden campaign principal deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks told reporters on Thursday the president "is not wavering on anything."

What we're hearing: "I think it's over," said one senior House Democrat, who, like others quoted in this story, was granted anonymity to speak candidly about internal party dynamics.

• "A change at the top of the ticket has taken on an aura of inevitability," said Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.).
• Another House Democrat went a step further, suggesting Biden announce his withdrawal on Thursday night to "steal the thunder from Trump's RNC acceptance speech."
• "That kind of bold, badass move by POTUS would make him a folk hero," the lawmaker said.
• A third House Democrat who spoke on the condition of anonymity said they have seen a "change in tenor" from Biden's campaign on whether he will stay in.

Between the lines: Several lawmakers said they expect more members of Congress to call for Biden to drop out – at least two as soon as Friday – if he does not step aside.

Driving the news: Biden's private talks with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) have all become public in the last 24 hours.

• In each of those conversations, the congressional leaders reportedly warned Biden that his staying in the race could have damaging electoral consequences to Democrats further down the ballot.
• It also emerged on Thursday that Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), the high-profile ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, wrote to Biden earlier this month urging him to rethink his reelection bid.
• Raskin's fellow ex-Jan. 6 committee member, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), publicly called for Biden to withdraw from the race on Wednesday.
• Leadership was "willing to do f***ing anything" to get Biden off the ticket, one Democratic lawmaker told Axios.

The intrigue: Even some Biden loyalists appear to be losing heart. "I don't believe President Biden should step aside, but it appears that opinion is being overruled," Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) told Axios.

• She added: "I will continue to work enthusiastically alongside the Democratic ticket to prevent ... Trump and Vance from instituting a national abortion ban."
• Another Biden backer, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), told Axios, "I am concerned that the tide is turning against Biden."
• Biden has received public support from dozens of House and Senate Democrats, while roughly 20 have called for him to drop out.

Yes, but: Other staunch Biden backers projected confidence that he can hang on.

• Rep. Shontel Brown (D-Ohio) said "a couple of loud voices have been dominating the conversation," but Biden "has made up his mind. He's made a decision. And, so, the more we belabor this conversation the more we're doing ourselves a disservice."
• "I think we have a nominee ... and I've supported them and continue to support them strongly," said Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.).

What to watch: If Biden does exit the race, Brown told Axios that choosing anyone but Harris would be "disrespectful" to Black women.

• "I don't like doing hypotheticals, but ... if the president should change his mind, not only would I want to see it, she is the next in line to be the presumptive nominee," Brown said.
• "If they want him to step aside, then it 1000% needs to be Kamala Harris," said Kamlager-Dove.