Four days after his poor debate performance, President Joe Biden had not personally called top Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill to secure their support, according to five sources who spoke with NBC News. White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients was making calls instead.

Biden’s team has been trying to quell doubts within the party about his ability to continue the race against former President Donald Trump. However, there is growing frustration among some Democrats about Biden’s inner circle being overly “insulated,” as noted by a Democratic lawmaker. This lawmaker also pointed out that Biden isn’t engaging in the personal outreach they expect from him.

Following the debate, Biden hadn’t reached out personally to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, or other key Hill leaders, a move that surprised many lawmakers. Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, a Biden supporter, mentioned on MSNBC’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports” that she hasn’t spoken to Biden since the debate but is in regular contact with his team. She emphasized that it’s ultimately up to Biden to decide what is best.

A House Democrat described the situation as “troubling,” stressing that the White House should be transparent in private calls with lawmakers about whether Biden’s debate performance was a one-time issue or a recurring problem.

Neither Schumer nor Jeffries has publicly expressed disappointment regarding Biden’s outreach. Schumer’s office declined to comment, and Jeffries’ office did not respond to inquiries.

Biden’s campaign noted that he had spoken with several elected officials since the debate. Campaign spokesperson Lauren Hitt said, “The president has spoken personally with multiple elected officials on the Hill and across the battlegrounds since the debate.”

Top White House officials, including Zients and counselor Steve Ricchetti, have been in touch with Hill leaders. Zients called Schumer and Jeffries after the debate, and has continued to coordinate with Schumer on next steps.

While Democratic lawmakers publicly support Biden, at least four told NBC News that they believe he should withdraw from the race to avoid a significant loss for Democrats. One Democratic lawmaker, speaking anonymously, said Biden should step aside to allow for a nominating process at the convention in August, citing concerns over his potential decline and the risk of a catastrophic event.

A moderate House Democrat expressed agreement with the idea of Biden stepping down if his approval ratings drop significantly after the debate. Another Democratic lawmaker mentioned that their colleagues would decide on their public stance based on the debate’s impact on polling in swing districts.

A vulnerable House Democrat facing re-election expressed anger at Biden’s advisers for letting him participate in the debate, stating, “I hold his family and his advisers directly responsible for this mess.”

Rep. Annie Kuster, chairwoman of the New Democrat Coalition, shared frustrations with Biden’s team and called for more information about the debate’s preparation and performance, noting the need to assess its impact on the races.

Despite these concerns, Biden’s allies and top Democratic leaders attributed his debate performance to a “bad night,” emphasizing his legislative achievements and the danger posed by Trump. Biden himself acknowledged at a rally that he doesn’t debate as well as he used to but remains determined to win in November.

While Biden’s supporters are rallying around him, some campaign aides and donors argue that nominating a replacement at this stage could be more detrimental to the party. Fundraiser Orin Kramer emphasized focusing on the future rather than seeking a last-minute replacement.

Rep. Ro Khanna expressed support for Biden’s decision to continue, highlighting the respect for resilience and grit. However, another Democratic lawmaker described those in competitive races as feeling scared and under pressure.

Rep. Jamie Raskin acknowledged that serious discussions are taking place within the party about Biden’s political future. Two Democratic officials suggested that Biden should appear more in unscripted settings to demonstrate that the debate was merely an off night.

Ultimately, the party awaits Biden’s next steps as they navigate the challenges ahead.