President Joe Biden is determined to continue his reelection campaign, even after reportedly acknowledging in private that his candidacy is at a critical juncture. According to the New York Times, an insider close to Biden revealed that the President admitted the upcoming days are crucial for salvaging his reelection bid. Biden is aware that he must quickly address the fallout from his recent poor debate performance to improve polling and fundraising efforts.
Biden’s campaign manager, Quentin Fulks, dismissed rumors that the President is considering dropping out of the race. Biden reportedly attributed his lackluster debate performance to the fatigue from back-to-back trips to France and Italy. In a show of unity, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris made a surprise appearance on a Democratic National Committee call, emphasizing their commitment to the reelection campaign. “I am running. I am the leader of the Democratic Party. No one is pushing me out,” Biden asserted, according to a top aide.
Biden also held private discussions with senior Democratic lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Chief of Staff Jeff Zients also engaged with key figures like Schumer and South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn. Later, Biden met with over 20 Democratic governors, both in person and virtually, to discuss the campaign’s direction. The governors described the conversation as candid, expressing concerns about Biden’s debate performance but reaffirming their support for his candidacy.
Despite some elected officials publicly urging Biden to step down for the good of the Democratic Party, key figures like Maryland Gov. Wes Moore reiterated their support. “The president is our nominee. The president is our party leader,” Moore stated, adding that Biden is committed to winning the election.
Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas became the first Democratic member of Congress to publicly call for Biden to step down. Some Democratic lawmakers worry that Biden’s candidacy could suppress voter turnout, potentially jeopardizing their efforts to regain control of the House of Representatives.
Biden spent the weekend at Camp David with his family, attempting to calm the panic among Democratic voters, officials, and donors. His weak debate performance has intensified concerns about his ability to beat former President Donald Trump and serve a second term. Biden’s allies have been defending him vigorously, arguing that one bad debate should not overshadow his accomplishments. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urged people not to judge Biden’s presidency based on one debate, highlighting the stark differences between Biden and Trump.
Biden’s family, who play a crucial role in his campaign decisions, currently believe he should stay in the race. However, this stance could change if polling data indicates a significant decline in his position. Delaware Sen. Chris Coons, a close confidant of Biden, acknowledged the President’s poor debate performance but attributed it to being overwhelmed by staffers’ information.
The debate has reignited questions about Biden’s physical and cognitive fitness to serve another term. Republicans have seized on this issue, with North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum stating that America’s adversaries also witnessed Biden’s performance. Despite the criticism, there is no indication that Biden is considering abandoning his campaign.
Maryland Democratic Gov. Wes Moore emphasized that Biden is not stepping down and should not do so. Given Biden’s dominance in the Democratic primaries, the party has no realistic way to move on unless he decides to withdraw. Some party leaders fear that a new nominating contest could lead to internal conflict, benefiting Trump. Biden has consistently insisted that he is fit to serve, and any rising-star Democrat who challenges him risks being seen as a traitor.
At a fundraising event in New Jersey, Biden acknowledged his poor debate performance but vowed to continue fighting. His campaign has managed to stave off immediate danger, with robust fundraising efforts and strong support from party heavyweights. However, any negative polling data could reignite panic within the campaign.
Biden’s campaign has been sending out memos and statements, insisting that he will not quit. “Joe Biden is going to be the Democratic nominee, period. End of story,” the campaign wrote to supporters. They argued that Biden’s withdrawal would lead to chaos and internal conflict, giving Trump an uncontested platform.
Despite the campaign’s efforts, Biden’s debate performance has raised fundamental questions about his ability to beat Trump. Polls have long shown that majorities of voters believe Biden is too old to serve a second term. Instead of alleviating these concerns, the debate exacerbated them, with Biden appearing more fragile than ever.
A new CBS/YouGov poll conducted after the debate found that 72% of registered voters believe Biden does not have the mental and cognitive health to serve as president. This is a seven-point increase from weeks before the debate. Only 28% of voters think Biden should be running for president, with 46% of Democratic registered voters believing he should not.
These figures are devastating for a president who has seen erosion in key aspects of his coalition, particularly among young, progressive, and minority voters. However, Biden’s deputy campaign manager, Rob Flaherty, argued that voters were reminded of what they dislike about Trump, suggesting that Biden may still be seen as a better choice.
Flaherty also criticized Democrats calling for Biden to drop out, dismissing them as the “bed wetting brigade.” He suggested that voters do not care about cable news analysis or “self-important Podcasters,” referring to former Obama aides who criticized Biden.
Biden launched his candidacy in 2019, declaring a battle for the soul of the nation. He has since achieved significant victories, including defeating Trump in the 2020 election and leading a Democratic rebuff in the 2022 midterms. However, some believe that Biden and Harris should not run for reelection, fearing that Biden’s age and Harris’s unpopularity could jeopardize their chances.
Biden’s age has been a significant concern, with 77% of the public, including 69% of Democrats, believing he is too old to be effective for another term. Voters would likely focus on his running mate, Harris, who has a lower approval rating than Biden. Some suggest that Biden should encourage a more open vice-presidential selection process to find a stronger running mate.
Ultimately, Biden’s decision to run again may hinge on his belief that he is the best candidate to defeat Trump. If he believes that Trump is the GOP nominee and that he has the best chance to save the country from a Trump presidency, he will likely continue his campaign.
Biden has another chance to say no to himself by withdrawing from the 2024 race. While it may not be in his character, it could be a wise choice for the country. Time is running out, and the decision will soon be cast in stone. There is no clear alternative to Biden, but he may trust in democracy to discover new leadership.
Biden’s campaign has long denied that his age is disqualifying, but the debate has shattered the credibility of this argument. Efforts to shield Biden from public scrutiny now risk appearing as attempts to hide his true condition. The debate has raised fundamental questions about Biden’s capacity to beat Trump, and the campaign’s counterattacks have not addressed these concerns.
Biden’s performance has left many Democrats deeply shaken, viewing the upcoming election with dread. While top party figures publicly stand with Biden, some are having serious conversations about what to do. Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin hinted at movement against Biden, suggesting that the party needs him at the center of their deliberations, regardless of whether he is the candidate.
Biden’s campaign continues to insist that he will not quit, arguing that his withdrawal would lead to chaos and internal conflict. However, the debate has raised fundamental questions about Biden’s ability to beat Trump, and the campaign’s counterattacks have not addressed these concerns.
Source: New York Times, CNN, Associated Press
