'There's no way out': Democrats feel powerless as 'elites' fall in line behind Biden

President Joe Biden is attempting to frame his quest to retain his candidacy as him against the “elites” in Washington.

But in interviews, rank-and-file Democrats, party chairs, battleground leaders and elected officials say Biden has it exactly backward.

All along, they say, they’ve felt deep concerns about Biden — and fielded reservations from voters, as poll after poll has demonstrated — but have felt powerless to act in the face of a White House and Democratic Party that’s been under Biden’s thumb.

“I wish I was more brave,” said one Democratic state party chair who thinks Biden should step aside. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because they fear retaliation from the president’s camp.

“I would be crucified by them if I spoke out of line,” the chair continued. “I know when you get out of line they all of a sudden have a shift of priorities and your races, your state is no longer on the map.”

Now, they say, it’s happening again.

Even after a disastrous debate performance that was initially met with calls for him to step aside, new revelations from those around the president expressing concerns about his mental acuity and warning signs about future fundraising, one power broker after another is falling in line behind Biden — in some cases after just expressing grave doubts about him.

But by some accounts from Democrats on Tuesday, that backing felt more akin to a death march to November than a rousing backing for a party nominee.

“No one is excited,” an ally of the president said. “Expectations are very low for Biden going forward.”

Another Democratic House member put it in more stark terms.

“People are very frustrated that the president appears defensive and in denial. He’s like the grandpa who