Key Takeaways:

• Former President Barack Obama advised Chuck Schumer to persuade Biden to exit the 2024 race.
• Following a lackluster debate against Donald Trump, Schumer expressed deep concerns about Biden's re-election prospects.
• In a tense meeting, Schumer warned Biden that losing to Trump could tarnish his legacy and jeopardize Democratic control of Congress.
• Schumer concluded after talking with Biden that aides had not been transparent about the grim polling situation.
• Both Schumer and Biden's office have declined to confirm the details surrounding Schumer's advice, but the conversations have become a focal point in the Democratic Party's future.

In a significant political shift, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has revealed he urged President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race following a concerning debate performance against Donald Trump. Sources indicate that the meeting on July 13 was marked by tension, with Schumer bluntly telling Biden, “If you run and you lose to Trump, and we lose the Senate, and we don’t get back the House, that 50 years of amazing, beautiful work goes out the window.”

During their conversation at Biden's beach house, Schumer indicated that he feared a potential loss would leave Biden labeled as “one of the darkest figures” in American political history. Despite having previously expressed his unwavering support for the president, particularly after Biden’s debate against Trump on June 27, Schumer's stance shifted dramatically due to the evident drop in Biden's poll numbers.

Before the debate, Schumer had believed that Biden was well-suited for re-election, but post-debate discussions led him to reconsider this assessment. Democratic senators, also alarmed by questions surrounding Biden's age and mental acuity, privately voiced their opinion that Biden should step aside to strengthen the party's chances in the 2024 election. Schumer stated that if a secret ballot were held among Democratic senators, the results would indicate overwhelming reluctance to support Biden's candidacy.

“If there’s a secret ballot, Mr. President, my guess is you at most get five yeses,” Schumer informed Biden during their meeting. Despite being a longtime ally, Schumer’s candid feedback on Biden’s low chances of re-election—reported at a mere 5 percent—caught the president off guard. Following their 45-minute discussion, Biden asked for time to deliberate the advice he received, which Schumer considered necessary to allow a dignified exit.

As the implications of such discussions unfold, both Schumer and Biden have faced scrutiny regarding their positions, particularly as the Democratic Party navigates the tumultuous political landscape leading into the 2024 elections. A spokesperson for Biden contended that the president had been fully briefed on polling and understood his support, contradicting implications made by Schumer. “Internal and public numbers showed a competitive race,” added White House spokesperson Andrew Bates, emphasizing Biden's determination to remain in the race.

As events progress, the dynamics within the Democratic Party and the decisions surrounding Biden's candidacy continue to be a focal point in political discourse, raising questions about the party's direction as they prepare for the upcoming election.

For more details, visit The Daily Beast and The Hill.