Biden call with Congressional Hispanic Caucus went 'off the rails,' member says
Biden's talk with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus did not go smoothly, according to multiple sources who had knowledge of the meeting.
One member who was on the call with the president told ABC News it was "frustrating," saying it went "off the rails" at one point.
The president was an hour late to the call, three sources said.
When it finally started, Bold PAC, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus campaign arm, who organized the virtual meeting said only two members would be allowed to ask questions, but Biden ended up taking three questions.
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, who strongly implied Biden should resign in a statement released Thursday, and Rep. Gabe Vasquez both tried to ask questions by using the raise-hand feature on Zoom but it kept being taken down, according to a source.
This source blamed campaign staff who the source felt were trying to control the call.
Rep. Mike Levin was not on the list of 'pre-selected' members to ask questions, but when Biden opened it up the call to others, Levin told him it was time to step aside and allow someone else to lead the Democratic ticket.
Biden responded at length, according to two sources, with, "That's why I'm going out and letting people touch me, poke me, ask me questions. I think I know what I'm doing because the truth of the matter is I'm going to say something outrageous: No president in three years has done what we have in three years other than Franklin Roosevelt, because of your help."
"That's not hyperbole, that's a fact. No president. And so, that doesn't answer the question," Biden added, according to the sources.
"That was great when you were feeling good, 'Biden, are you OK now?'" Biden continued, talking in the third person, the sources said. "That’s what’s underlying. That’s what people are worried about. 'I’ve got a grandfather who’s 85 years old, and he can’t walk.' It’s a legitimate concern for people, but that’s why I think it’s important I get out and show people everything from how well I move to how much I know and that I’m still in good charge."
Biden tried to take another question and then the meeting ended abruptly, according to one person on the call and another person who was briefed after the 30-minute call.
Two congressional members who were on the call, however, described a more cordial call.
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar D-Tex said in a post on X "It was a great conversation."
"I am focused on what we need to do to win in November. Donald Trump is an existential threat, especially to our Latino communities. And I remain proud to be #RidingWithBidenHarris2024," she said in her post.
Sen. Alex Padilla said in a post on X that "POTUS engaged with us on strategy and demonstrated once again that he is clear-eyed on the path forward to defeating Trump and MAGA extremism."
"He’s had our communities’ backs over the last three years and we’ll have his this November," the senator said in his post.
-ABC News' Rachel Scott, Mariam Khan and MaryAlice Parks
