During a recent meeting, Democratic Caucus chairman Rep. Pete Aguilar emphasized the importance of discussing effective tactics to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming November election. The focus was not merely on aligning views but on devising strategies to secure victory.
At a subsequent news conference, Aguilar and Caucus Vice-Chair Rep. Ted Lieu expressed concerns about the potential consequences of a second term for Trump. They highlighted the urgency of the situation and the need for a strong Democratic effort to prevent Trump's re-election.
Aguilar mentioned that the Democrats are closely monitoring Joe Biden's actions, including an upcoming news conference, to assess his viability as a candidate. This scrutiny is seen as crucial in determining the party's approach towards supporting the Democratic ticket.
While Aguilar did not explicitly endorse Biden, he emphasized the collective goal of defeating Trump as a top priority for Democrats in the upcoming election. Additionally, he mentioned the objective of securing 218 votes for Hakeem Jeffries on January 3rd to elect him as House Speaker.
Some Democrats in competitive districts have expressed reservations about openly endorsing the incumbent president due to potential backlash from voters. Biden's lagging performance in statewide Senate races has raised concerns among political analysts and lawmakers, who view this gap as unsustainable.
Aguilar refrained from divulging details of his discussions with candidates in vulnerable districts but encouraged them to persevere in their campaigns. The focus remains on advancing the Democratic agenda and mobilizing support to achieve success in the upcoming elections.