Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - "Attempts to shore up President Joe Biden's image have largely failed."
Washington analyst Steve Roberts, a long time political contributor at WBEN, is not sugar-coating the state of the Democratic Party.
"They gambled a lot on that interview with George Stephanopolous and people feel that Biden is in denial. He said in the interview the election is a toss-up. It's not a toss-up. A New York Times poll had Trump up by six points."
A week ago, Roberts told WBEN the Democrats were screwed, following Biden's debate performance. When asked if his opinion had changed surrounding the President, Roberts said it has actually gotten worse.
"[President Biden] can't force people to unsee what they saw in the debate. That's an indelible image. It doesn't matter how vigorous he appears on the campaign trail this week. It doesn't mater how well he answers questions at a news conference later this week. My gut feeling is that he can't reverse this. He can't force people to unsee the debate. He can't perform at a level of vigor and vitality that is going to reverse the growing anxiety. I just don't think it's possible," said Roberts.
The analyst, who has covered 16 presidential elections, has noticed a growing sense of anger among Democrats who feel deceived by the President, by the White House staff and Biden's family.
"They're saying, look, you must have see his increasing decline and feebleness. Yet, you hid it from us," Roberts said.
He adds the country has been deceived into believing the President was fitter and stronger, and far more vital than he really is.
The path forward is uncertain and, in Robert's words, a gamble.
"If a growing number of Democrats take the gamble and force Biden out, they will be nominating Vice President Kamala Harris. I don't see them nominating someone other than her because passing over a black woman would alienate a key constituency. If she could inject a jolt of energy into the campaign, she could be worth the gamble. But it is a big gamble," Roberts said.
CBS News Washington Correspondent Scott MacFarlane also joined WBEN on Monday.
"The Democratic Party is splintered," he said. "That became clear over the weekend."
There are five House Democrats who have said President Biden should withdraw. CBS News is reporting that four high-ranking Democrats expressed similar sentiments on a call with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Sunday afternoon.
"Since then, the Congressional Black Caucus issued statements that were unequivocal that President Biden should remain the nominee," MacFarlane said. "There is already a divide inside the Democratic Party at the worst possible time."
A decision has to be made soon.
"The Republican National Convention next week will steal a lot of the nation's attention. There's the Olympics coming up and then the Democratic convention. There's only so many opportunities to command the world's attention if you're going to execute a strategy as bold and thorough as replacing a candidate for President," MacFarlane said.
MacFarlane says there is another concern.
"The longer this draws out, the more President Biden will be seen as being pushed out, versus choosing to step out, which changes the trajectory of the race," he said.
The next big test for President Biden is Thursday. He is hosting a NATO Summit and holding a news conference.
"It's likely to be the largest and unscripted platform the president will have over the next few days," McFarlane said, further cautioning, "Everything he does, every physical move he makes, every word he says, is scrutinized like never before. I'm not sure how sustainable that is."
