Despite no longer serving in House Democratic leadership, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi remains an influential voice in her party. So when she suggested Wednesday morning that—despite his repeated commitments to remaining in the race—President Joe Biden needs to make a decision about continuing his reelection bid, it seemed to halt any fitful momentum toward Democrats fully coalescing behind him. The number of Democrats calling on Biden to step aside, while still small, has grown to nine representatives, including some swing-district members.

The continued hand-wringing was characteristic of Democrats’ sclerotic mental state this week, as sentiment among lawmakers runs the gamut from staunch support for the president to private anxiety—and sometimes both at once. One consideration, said a Democratic lawmaker, is whether it is more effective for members who believe Biden should step aside to make a public statement, or hold their powder.

“Many of us in Congress see that a pressure campaign is not going to be the way that this ends—that there needs to be an effort made by people who know the president well to take care of this behind the scenes, [and] that in public, it’s not going to help,” the Democrat said.

Although several key blocs, including the Congressional Black Caucus and many progressives, have remained staunchly supportive of Biden in the wake of his disastrous debate performance two weeks ago, other Democrats on Capitol Hill ever more publicly air their worries about the president’s fitness to serve.

Appearing on MSNBC’s Morning Joe—which the president frequently watches—Pelosi stopped short of saying that Biden should remain in the race, saying instead that he should hurry up and make a decision. “It’s up to the president to decide if he is going to run,” Pelosi said. “We’re all encouraging him to make that decision, because time is running short.” Biden has been adamant that he has already made his decision, insisting in a letter to lawmakers that he will be staying in the race.

Speaking to reporters later on Wednesday, Pelosi insisted........

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