'They're in a pickle': Dems trolled as Biden donors told their funds would be transferred to Kamala Harris if he steps down

WASHINGTON, DC: As prominent Democrats displayed public support for President Joe Biden over the weekend, his advisers privately resisted suggestions that he should step aside. On Sunday, June 30, Biden’s campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez described the complexities of replacing him on the ticket as “messy and impractical.”

In a tense call with about 40 of Biden’s top financial backers, Chavez Rodriguez explained the potential fallout if Biden were to step down. She emphasized throughout the call that Biden had no intention of doing so.

Two people familiar with the discussion told NBC News that most of the campaign’s significant war chest would fall to Vice President Kamala Harris, while only a smaller portion of funds would be retained by the Democratic National Committee.

Concerns among donors and role of Joe Biden's family

Several donors on the call floated what one participant referred to as fanciful “West Wing”-type scenarios for replacing Biden. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del), who joined part of the call, stressed that the process would be “messy” and predicted Harris would ultimately become the nominee.

This call was part of a series of conversations Biden’s advisers and campaign leaders have had with Democratic officials and donors after Biden’s shaky debate performance rattled the party elite. The conversation was one of the more candid ones recently held, delving into the delicate question of Biden’s potential successor if he were to step aside.

Biden’s family, who have the most influence on him, discussed the future of his campaign during a long-planned gathering at Camp David, Maryland. NBC News reported that during this meeting, Biden’s children and grandchildren encouraged him to “keep fighting.”

Sources familiar with the discussions told the outlet that some family members expressed deep frustration with the aides and advisers responsible for debate preparation.

A senior Biden adviser called these suggestions false, while campaign spokesperson Kevin Munoz stated that Biden still has confidence in his senior staffers. “The aides who prepped the President have been with him for years, often decades, seeing him through victories and challenges. He maintains strong confidence in them,” Munoz said in a statement.

Publicly, the Biden campaign sought to highlight positive or neutral voter responses to Biden’s first debate against former President Donald Trump.

Biden campaign pollster Molly Murphy, referring to live panels conducted during the debate, said on MSNBC, “Every time Donald Trump opened his mouth, those dials dropped. They just absolutely plummeted. [Voters] felt like the president came across as someone who cares about middle- and working-class Americans, and when compared to Trump he came across as more presidential, more likable, more truthful.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) echoed this sentiment in another MSNBC interview, stating, “It certainly was a setback. But of course, I believe a setback is nothing more than a setup for a comeback.”

Fundraising and campaign support for Joe Biden

During the call with donors, Chavez Rodriguez noted the campaign has raised $33 million since the debate and received hundreds of new applications from people wanting to join the campaign.

Senator Coons made a passionate case for Biden, citing his performance at recent international gatherings and a campaign rally in North Carolina to argue that the debate was just a bad night.

One participant on the call mentioned that while many donors still supported Biden, “a lot of the participants are frightened.”

The participant added, “There were some tough comments from those on the call. Some were upset that they are just hearing campaign talking points,” and noted that some donors even inquired about having their contributions refunded.

A senior Democratic official who has spoken directly with Biden and his campaign team expressed confidence in Biden’s decision to stay in the race, describing the team’s stance as “powering through.” However, this official also noted the importance of the next two weeks, which would be critical based on polling and fundraising data.

“We’ll have polls and we’ll have a money count. If they’re good, it means that he [remains in the race]. And if it’s not, all bets are off,” the official told NBC News, insisting that decisions would be based on data rather than emotion. "It’s too early to make the call," they added.

Democrats trolled on social media

Meanwhile, many on social media mocked the news that the bulk of Biden's campaign funds would go to Harris if he stepped aside.

"lol they are in a pickle," one posted on X.

"It’s a real quandary," another wrote.

"Unfortunately, they find her just too burdened by what has been," someone else quipped, mocking one of Harris' go-to quotes.

"This is like watching Game of Thrones!" a comment read.

"I wouldn’t relish the job of ice cream taster for Joe or word salad taster for Kamala right now. Scandal, 24, Homeland, and House of Cards plots are no longer fiction," another chimed in.

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