In the wake of President Joe Biden's lackluster debate performance, several Democrats running in competitive districts have expressed concerns to the Biden campaign and the White House about the potential negative fallout. They fear that Biden remaining at the top of the ticket not only diminishes the party's chances of holding onto the presidency, but also jeopardizes the goal of winning back the House of Representatives from GOP control.

According to multiple sources familiar with the conversations, Democratic lawmakers have raised the alarm that Biden's presence on the ticket could suppress voter turnout, which could be the determining factor in crucial races. Representatives from difficult general election matchups have not hesitated to voice their apprehensions, with one lawmaker stating that they would face certain defeat if they had to run with Biden.

The concerns voiced by these lawmakers span across the country. Jared Golden, a Democratic representative from a rural district in Maine that twice supported former President Donald Trump, even expressed his expectation that Trump would win in November. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a representative from Washington state, stopped short of calling for Biden to drop out of the race but believed that the damage caused by the debate was irreparable.

Retiring Representative Ann Kuster, who represents a hotly contested swing seat in New Hampshire, has been in talks with both the White House and the Biden campaign about the impact of concerns over Biden's well-being on House races in challenging districts. Kuster emphasized the need for the president to demonstrate his fitness for both the job and the campaign to address these concerns.

Attempting to address these mounting concerns, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre admitted that the president did not have a great night during the debate. She pointed to a speech Biden gave in North Carolina the following day, where he acknowledged his age but expressed a commitment to continue delivering for the American people.

Biden campaign spokesperson Lauren Hitt reassured that the president has personally spoken with multiple elected officials about their concerns. However, some Democratic leaders have been more emphatic in their support for Biden, emphasizing the high stakes of the upcoming election and the need to stand together as Democrats.

While Democrats face an uphill battle to retain control of the Senate, the focus on flipping the House as a last firewall against a potential second Trump presidency has gained traction among some Democrats. The Biden campaign, however, has asked for time to assess the damage and devise a strategy.

As the Democratic Party grapples with the fallout from Biden's debate performance, some lawmakers are urging the president to engage in more events and media interviews to show his capability for a second term. Representatives Gregory Meeks and Bennie Thompson, among others, expressed the need for Biden to take his message directly to the public and answer tough questions from the press.

Concerns among Democrats over Biden's debate performance appear to be intensifying as the elections draw nearer. While some remain resolute in their support for the president, others are pushing for a swift resolution to address both the impact on House races and the larger goal of winning back GOP-controlled branches of government.