 The House member, an outspoken defender of the president, said that Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer should consider a combined effort to nudge Biden out of the race. Crestfallen by the president's weak voice, pallid appearance, and meandering answers, numerous Democratic officials said Biden's bet on an early debate to rebut unceasing questions about his age had not only backfired but done damage that may prove irreversible.