Biden's campaign manager told 40 of his top financial backers that the cash in his war chest would largely go to Kamala Harris if he steps aside: report
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- Biden's campaign manager had a call with around 40 of his top financial backers on Sunday, NBC reports.
- Julie Chavez Rodriguez said Biden stepping aside would mean the war chest would get redistributed, per NBC.
- And the lion's share would go to Kamala Harris, she said, with a smaller amount going to the DNC.
President Joe Biden's campaign has been pulling out the stops to shore up support for him after his disastrous debate performance on Thursday. But the president's top donors have been briefed on what might happen and the messy financial situation that might ensue if he were to end his presidential run, NBC reported.
According to NBC's Mike Memoli and Monica Alba, Biden's campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, had a call with around 40 of Biden's top financial backers on Sunday.
During the call, Chavez Rodriguez told the donors — while emphasizing that Biden had no intention to give up on his 2024 run — that the lion's share of the campaign money would go to Vice President Kamala Harris.
A smaller amount would go to the Democratic National Committee, NBC reported.
NBC further reported that the Biden camp has held similar conversations, with more to come in the weak ahead. Biden campaign chair Jen O'Malley Dillon, per two NBC sources, will also talk to donors on Monday night.
For his part, Biden has given little indication that he plans to step aside. In a speech to some 2,000 supporters in North Carolina, Biden acknowledged his poor showing at the debate while attempting to rally support.
"Folks, I might not walk as easily or talk as smoothly as I used to. I might not debate as well as I used to. But what I do know is how to tell the truth," Biden said.
Biden added that he would not be running for office again if he did not believe with all his "heart and soul" that he could still do the job.
In the meantime, multiple reports have emerged of infighting within the Democratic Party's ranks. Biden's family members have urged him to stay in the race while blaming his top aides for his lackluster debate performance.
And as speculation about whether the president plans to stay the course persists, dissatisfaction is growing in Harris' camp, Politico reported. Harris allies are complaining that other influential Democrats — like Gov. Gavin Newsom of California and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan — are being prioritized over the VP as potential Biden replacements, per Politico.
Representatives for Biden did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours.