Vermont Democratic senator Peter Welch declined to endorse Joe Biden's fitness to serve during an awkward CNN interview.
During a segment of CNN News Central, Welch said Biden is "wrestling with" his future. Welch acknowledged he doesn't feel free to speak his mind out of "respect."
"He’s wrestling with that and he’s reading the polls and he had a terrible debate and the campaign has candidly acknowledged it," he said when asked about Biden's fitness.
Welch's wishy-washy response is the latest sign that Democrats are going wobbly on Biden following his debate debacle last week.
Many Democrats are fearful that Biden will hand the presidency to Donald Trump and hurt Democrats down ballot. While few Democrats have openly called on Biden to step aside, not many are giving him their unequivocal support.
Welch almost sounded as if he were trying to reassure himself as he said Biden would do "what's best for the country."
The senator suggested that might mean dropping out to stop Trump from winning the presidency.
"He knows that the existential challenge is keeping Donald Trump out of the presidency. So, I have confidence that he’s going to make a decision and make it on the basis of serving the country.”
Making matters more awkward, Welch basically admitted that he is withholding his candid opinion out of respect.
"So, my view is that I will let the President make his own decision, out of immense respect for everything he’s done for us, keeping Trump out of office and the extraordinary job he’s done.”
Biden has been stubborn about the whole situation, telling supporters in Wisconsin Friday that he won't be pushed aside.
“They’re trying to push me out of the race,” he said. "Well let me say this as clearly as I can: I’m staying in the race.”
Meanwhile, pressure on Biden is continuing to mount. The Washington Post reported Friday that a powerful senator, Virginia's Mark Warner (D), is lobbying his Democratic colleagues to get Biden out.
When asked about it, Biden said of Warner, "he's the only one."
Biden has received more robust support from Democratic governors, some of whom met with Biden at the White House this week in a show of solidarity.
