New Biden Trouble: Schumer May Bail on Him

The bad press keeps coming for President Biden. Following news that George Clooney bailed on him and the first Democrat senator admitted publicly that he's unlikely to beat Trump comes more of the same:

• Chuck Schumer: Sources tell Axios that while the Senate majority leader is publicly insisting he's "for Joe," behind closed doors Schumer is signaling he's open to a different option on the Dems' 2024 presidential ticket. Three people say Schumer has been listening to donors and other senators regarding their concerns and suggestions about what might come next, though he has not given a hint as to who he thinks might be a better candidate than Biden. Fox News notes that after the Axios story came out, Schumer quickly released a statement reiterating his support for Biden.

• Sen. Peter Welch: The lawmaker from Vermont becomes the first Democrat senator to formally call on Biden to step aside, via a Washington Post op-ed. "I deliver this assessment with sadness. Vermont loves Joe Biden. President Biden and Vice President Harris received a larger vote percentage here than in any other state. But regular Vermonters are worried that he can't win this time, and they're terrified of another Trump presidency," he writes. Read his full piece here.
• Sen. Patty Murray: The senator from Washington state released a statement urging Biden to "seriously consider the best way to preserve his incredible legacy," and other Democrat senators have released statements that, while they don't go quite as far, also suggest Biden could ultimately exit the race. Per the Guardian, some of them are said to be organizing to put pressure on Biden. Meanwhile, at least nine House Dems have called on Biden to pull out.
• Gretchen Whitmer: The Michigan governor told CNN Wednesday that it "wouldn't hurt" for Biden to take a cognitive test, NBC News reports.
• "Media blitz": That's what the Hollywood Reporter says Biden is on, and it's continuing: He has a press conference scheduled for Thursday (check out how to watch it here) and a primetime interview with NBC's Lester Holt is planned for Monday. (After Biden's interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos last week, the anchor was caught expressing a less-than-optimistic view on Biden's viability.)