DENVER — Colorado's leading Democrats declined interviews Friday to discuss President Joe Biden’s cognitive abilities and future as the Democratic nominee following Biden’s disastrous debate performance Thursday.
Next with Kyle Clark reached out to Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, Colorado Democratic Party Chairman Shad Murib and all seven Democrats in Colorado’s congressional delegation. All nine declined to have a discussion Friday about Biden’s fitness for the presidency and whether he should remain the Democratic nominee.
Each prominent Colorado Democrat was asked whether they have full confidence in Biden’s cognitive abilities to perform the duties of president today and for another full term and whether they believe President Biden should remain the Democratic nominee.
Most of the nine top Democrats surveyed by 9NEWS responded with carefully couched statements offering support for Biden without directly answering the questions asked.
Polis sent a statement saying, "Though last night was a bad night, it doesn’t erase the leadership from President Biden we have all witnessed and benefited from over the last four years. The President is the Democratic nominee, unless he and Jill decide otherwise." Polis went on to say he'd take Biden on a bad night over the dangers of Trump.
Sen. John Hickenlooper directly answered whether he had full confidence in Biden. The statement read, in part, "President Biden has my full confidence as president and if he chooses to remain in the race, he'll have my full support."
Sen. Michael Bennet sent a statement that didn't answer questions about Biden's mental state and future. His statement included, "I am committed to doing whatever it takes to defeat Donald Trump, hold the Senate, and flip the House in November."
9NEWS asked Bennet about Biden's mental state in 2022 and whether he should run for president again.
"I'd tell him it's up to him," Bennet said. "He's earned that right. Nobody else has proved they can beat Donald Trump."
Rep. Jason Crow sent a statement dodging the questions. Part of Crow's statement said, "The President had a tough night, but we don’t make decisions off one debate."
Congressman Joe Neguse did not respond to the questions.
Reps. Yadira Caraveo and Brittany Pettersen did not answer questions about Biden's future.
Rep. Diana DeGette issued the strongest defense of Biden in a statement saying, in part, "The Joe Biden I saw at today’s rally is the President I have worked with for four years. And he surely demonstrated the grasp of the issues and the vigor it will take for another term."
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