On Sunday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) dodged multiple questions about whether he privately urged President Joe Biden to drop out of the 2024 race amid concerns about his age, mental health, and electability after a poor debate performance.
CBS News reporter Robert Costa repeatedly asked Schumer on “Face the Nation” about a meeting in the days before Biden ended his campaign last weekend. During their discussion, according to ABC News’ Jonathan Karl, Schumer “forcefully made the case” that Biden should “bow out” of the contest.
“Senator, on July 13, you went to Delaware to meet with President Biden. It was a private discussion and I know you’d like to keep your discussions with the president private,” Costa said. “But that, for history, was a very momentous meeting in the sense of you were the Senate Democratic leader, the majority leader meeting with the president to discuss the presidential race. For history, for the record, did you, in any way, suggest to the president that he should leave the presidential race on July 13?”
Schumer began his reply saying they should “first” examine Biden’s record.
“He’s had one of the most amazing presidencies we’ve had in decades,” Schumer said, “passing so many good things: the infrastructure bill, the IRA bill, getting the price of prescription drugs down for the first time, going against the NRA successfully, helping our veterans with burn pits. So he’s had an amazingly successful record. And he’s always done what’s right for America. And I respect him, I respect his patriotism, I respect the amazing things he’s done. We work together on many of them.”
Costa pressed Schumer again.
“But just for history, though, did you — what was your role, what was your intention with that meeting with him on July 13? Because some Biden allies feel heard about this entire process,” Costa said. “I just sat down the other day with Sen. Chris Coons, your colleague, and he said a lot of people feel hurt, angry about how this all played out and you did go to see him and conveyed the views of your colleagues based on our reporting. So what exactly happened there? What was your role, if any, and suggested he get out or stay?”
Schumer responded, “As I said … yeah, I’m not going to get into the specifics. But he can — President Biden will walk away from the presidency with his head held high, because of all the great things he’s done and because he put America first he always has.”