From WNYC Studios, I'm Brian Lerer. This is my daily politics podcast. It's Friday, July 19.

With us now, Brooklyn Congressman and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Congressman,

we always appreciate when you come on with us

to address your local constituents and also our listeners around the country. Welcome back to

WNYC. Good morning, Ryan. Great to be with you. Let me start by just asking you directly. Do you think

your best shot at defeating Donald Trump is with or without Joe Biden? I've made clear that President Joe Biden, Vice President Harris,

the Biden-Harris ticket, along with Democrats in the House and the Senate,

have an incredible track record of support throughout the country

based on what we've been able to accomplish to date.

We, of course, have to continue to articulate a compelling vision for the future,

designed to make life better for everyday Americans,

and we need to articulate that in the boldest manner possible.

If we're successful in doing so, led by President Biden and, of course, the Democratic effort

in the House and the Senate, then I believe things will certainly work out for us in November.

Is that a yes?

Your best off with Biden as compared to him dropping out?

The ticket that exists right now is a ticket that we can win on.

There, of course, is work to be done.

And that, in fact, is the case because we are an evenly divided country. That has been the reality

of the political environment that we have confronted in cycle after cycle after cycle. That said,

we were able to win the House back in 2018.

President Biden won the presidency and defeated Trump in 2020. At the same time, we were able to

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