Pelosi went on Morning Joe and would not say that she is behind Biden staying in the race. Instead, she said that it is up to Biden whether he continues and that he needs to make a final decision very soon. Pelosi knows that Biden watches Morning Joe every day and this was a clear shot across the bow at Biden's backers who have doubled down on Biden staying in the race to the bitter end. This comes after a hot mike moment with Stephanopolous telling a stranger that he doesn't think Biden can last for another 4 year. George Clooney and Richie Torres also came out against Biden staying in the race. The Pod Save America boys and David Axelrad have also been beating the drum about Biden needing to drop out. And Carville has been very vocal about Biden bringing the party down if he continues.
Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer came out in support of Biden after a big congressional Dem caucus meeting. But they clearly have not convinced the rank and file that this is the right way to go and may have lost control over the situation. The DNC machine that dumped on Bernie to get Biden the nomination in 2020 and set up a 2024 primary that made it impossible for anyone to compete with Biden has lost control and possibly burned bridges as evidence mounts of a concerted effort to conceal Biden's decline. Bernie Sanders has supported Biden and made the best move. He called on Biden to get away from note cards and teleprompters and have more direct and unscripted interactions with the press and public. Bernie knows that Biden isn't up to that. So, that is pretty much Bernie's way of making it clear that he wants Biden to step aside without openly trying to undermine Biden.
The interesting side effect of all this is that Trump can't seem to get a minute in the media as the Biden issue has completely sucked the air out of the room. Trump's 2024 campaign has been trying to be more populist after a very M#GA on steroids primary campaign. Trump has tried to distance himself from Project 2025 and abortion bans. He floated no taxes for tipped workers to try to pull in disaffected working class voters. But nothing is getting through because it has been all Biden since the debate disaster. Trump's base is full of energy, but Trump has not been able to get enough screen time to get through to non-Trump voters to ensure that he will be able to beat Biden as handily as many are predicting. And if Biden steps aside, Trump will be back to square one as a new Dem candidate will get a big boost in enthusiasm and tons of media attention.
