Update: Susan Wild disputes CNN report saying she opposes Biden as presidential nominee

The Democratic lawmaker says she expressed 'concerns' about his ability to win in November

Update: In an interview with Channel 69 News, U.S. Rep. Susan Wild on Tuesday said she would not be taking a position on whether President Joe Biden should seek reelection. "It depends on who you talk to, but overwhelmingly there is a strong feeling that we have to, following the convention, come together behind the Democratic nominee and make sure that person wins the presidency,” Wild was quoted as saying. She went on to say, "The Democratic nominee will be the person that I support." Meanwhile, NOTUS, a nonpartisan, nonprofit website, reported that Wild had shared a poll during the House Democrat call showing that Biden would be a drag on the ticket. Wild’s campaign said she would not be offering further comment on the matter topic.

U.S. Rep. Susan Wild Sunday night disputed a CNN report that said she was one of several House Democrats who believe that President Joe Biden should end his reelection campaign.

Wild characterized her remarks as “concerns” in a statement issued by her congressional office after CNN published its report.

“In a confidential conversation with other members of House Democratic leadership, I expressed the same concerns that Americans across the country -- and here in my district — are grappling with, about President Biden’s electability at the top of the ticket,” Wild’s statement said.

“I expressed these concerns after spending multiple days speaking with my constituents about the importance of this election, when reproductive rights, workers’ rights and democracy are all on the ballot. In the coming days and weeks, I will operate as I always have, continuing to have these important conversations while keeping the best interests of my constituents at the forefront of every decision and statement I make.”

CNN, citing three sources, said Wild was among six House members in a conference call Sunday with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries who didn’t want Biden at the top of the  Democratic ticket. 

“Among those who opposed Biden as the nominee were Reps. Mark Takano, Adam Smith, Jim Himes, Joe Morelle, Jerry Nadler and Susan Wild,” CNN reported.

MSNBC, however, in its report Sunday night said Wild was not among the House members who said Biden should end his campaign.

Calls for a change at the top of the Democratic ticket began after Biden’s poor showing at the June 27 debate with former President Donald Trump. Biden has said he had a bad night, partly because of a cold and a strenuous travel schedule. 

He has repeatedly said since then — including at campaign stops Sunday in Philadelphia and Harrisburg — that he has no intention to drop out of the race.

Wild, who represents the 7th Congressional District, faces state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie in the Nov. 5 election. The race has been labeled a toss up in a district considered a bellwether for Congress and the presidency.

Mackenzie released a statement questioning Wild’s account of the Sunday call.

“After lying to the public by recently calling Biden “perfect,” Susan Wild was caught on a DC insider conference call sharing her real opinion: that Joe Biden shouldn’t run,” Mackenzie said.

“CNN reports that Wild, ‘explicitly said Biden should not be the nominee’ and NBC added she was concerned about how Biden would ‘affect down-ballot Democrats like her.”

Wild has been an ardent supporter of Biden, touting his infrastructure bill and his success in reducing the price of inhalers and insulin, among other efforts. But she has not always agreed with him. In May, she joined a group of House Democrats in calling on him to use executive action to restore order at the border, a move Biden took in June.  

Last week, Wild and first lady Jill BIden discussed job training and education at Lehigh Carbon Community Colleges downtown Allentown campus. President Biden’s debate performance was not addressed by Jill Biden or Wild.

Prior to the debate, CNN reported that Wild said she was “hoping to see President Biden look strong and competent, which I believe he is.” 

 “I want him to focus on all of the good things that we have gotten done under this presidency, especially in the last Congress, and to put to rest these rumors of him somehow being unfit,” she was quoted in CNN as saying.

CNN said Wild described Biden as “perfect,” saying lawmakers who have personal experiences with him need to speak out to cut the noise: “I really think that people need to hear those stories.”

The National Republican Congressional Committee jumped on those remarks, releasing a statement after the House call.

“Everyone can see this as Susan Wild’s election-year ploy to try to cling to her seat. Wild has taken every opportunity to gaslight and lie to Pennsylvanians about the current state of Joe Biden. If Wild no longer believes her own words that Joe Biden is ‘sharp‘ and ‘competent,’ then she must answer the simple question: Is Joe Biden fit to serve as President?”

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