Democratic win in House is extremely unlikely---Democrats agree

“We are continuing to see polling of a chilling effect on young voters, of decreased enthusiasm,” Representative Hillary Scholten, a Democrat who flipped a Republican seat in western Michigan two years ago, said on Thursday, just after calling for Mr. Biden to drop out and before the attempt on Mr. Trump’s life rattled the presidential race further. “That’s why it’s incumbent on us to make this change now.”

House Democrats, led by Representative Jared Huffman of California, are circulating a letter, first reported by The New York Times,  demanding that the roll call vote be put off.

“Stifling debate and prematurely shutting down any possible change in the Democratic ticket through an unnecessary and unprecedented ‘virtual roll call’ in the days ahead is a terrible idea,” the draft letter said. “It could deeply undermine the morale and unity of Democrats.”

Representative Susan Wild of Pennsylvania and Representative Pat Ryan of New York said Tuesday that they would sign on to that letter, while Representative Mike Levin of California was also expected to add his name, according to a person familiar with his plans who insisted on anonymity to discuss them. The lawmakers are from highly competitive districts Republicans are looking to flip.

Mr. Harrison has so far held firm: “We look forward to nominating Joe Biden through a virtual roll call and celebrating with fanfare together in Chicago in August alongside the 99 percent of delegates who are supporting the Biden-Harris ticket,” he said.

The worry about Democratic fortunes — which spilled out into the open after the debate — has only intensified in recent days. Democrats need just four seats to take back control of the House, a target that leaders and candidates still insist is possible. But they must hold every endangered Senate seat they occupy to have even a wisp of a chance to maintain their grasp on the chamber. And with their presidential candidate engulfed in extraordinary turmoil, catastrophic losses are possible.

More than 30 Democratic House seats are in play right now, and with the presidential battlefield spreading to  like New Mexico and Minnesota, Democratic House and Senate members who expected to cruise to re-election are suddenly looking over their shoulders. A collapse at the top of the ticket could bring losses in Congress that would reverberate for years.