CNN commentator Van Jones on Wednesday said public shows of support for President Joe Biden among Democrats are “completely different” from the discussions taking place away from the cameras and microphones.
“Everybody comes on the air, says all this great stuff, but behind the scenes it’s full-scale panic,” he said. “People are passing around legal memos, PDFs are flying back and forth on WhatsApp, trying to figure out what are the options. How can you replace Biden, how do you get him to do it in a way were he feels respected, as he should be respected?”
He said some conversations are going as far as wondering who Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate should be if she takes over for Biden at the top of the ticket.
Biden is facing growing pressure from some members of his own party after last week’s poor performance at the debate with Donald Trump raised new questions about his age and cognitive health.
The president insists he is fine and staying in the race, but some are calling on him to end his reelection bid.
Jones praised Biden as someone who loves the country and has given his all to the nation.
“I mean his all, to the last drop,” he emphasized,
But he said a “mature party” has to consider that Biden “may not be able to get across the finish line,” leading to those behind-the-scenes conversations about a possible replacement.
“People want to defend him and protect him and give him the space and the dignity to make his own choice,” he said. “But there is a big conversation happening right now about how this happens, not whether.”
