In the midst of a heated re-election campaign for Joe Biden, the Democratic Party finds itself divided over the president's ability to defeat Donald Trump in November. Calls from within the party for Biden to yield to a younger candidate have been met with mixed reactions. While some elected Democrats privately express their doubts about Biden's candidacy, public dissent has been relatively limited.

As of July 12th, only a small number of congressional Democrats, 19 in the House and one senator, Peter Welch of Vermont, have openly called for Biden to withdraw from the race. This represents less than a tenth of the Democratic membership in the House. The slow pace of rebellion is notable, considering the limited time remaining until Biden is formally renominated as the party's standard-bearer.

However, patterns are starting to emerge within this internal struggle. Vulnerable House candidates, sensing a threat to their own political future, have been more vocal in questioning Biden's fitness for office. Many of these candidates are running in competitive races, according to the Cook Report, a nonpartisan research group. Among them is Marie Glusenkamp Perez, a newcomer from Washington state, who narrowly won a previously Republican seat in 2022.

Citing concerns about Biden's judgment, health, and decision-making abilities, Perez declared her support for the rebellion on July 11th. Her bold stance reflects the anxieties of those in tight races who fear the repercussions of aligning themselves with a potentially weakened candidate.

The overall sentiment within the Democratic Party is one of uncertainty and apprehension. While some elected Democrats privately agree that Biden should step aside, they have been hesitant to do so publicly. This hesitancy may stem from concerns about damaging party unity or facing backlash from Biden's loyal supporters.

With the election rapidly approaching, the Democratic Party faces a crucial moment in deciding the path forward. As the number of dissenting voices slowly grows, the party must grapple with the question of whether to continue supporting Biden or to explore alternatives that may have a better chance of defeating Trump in November. The outcome of this internal struggle will have far-reaching implications for the future of the party and its ability to rally behind a unified candidate.