Joe Biden has admitted to making a “mistake” during last week’s debate against Donald Trump, but he remains resolute in his campaign for re-election. Speaking to a Wisconsin radio station, Biden acknowledged his poor performance but urged voters to judge him based on his tenure in the White House. Despite growing speculation about his future, Biden reassured key allies and senior Democrats that he is not stepping down.
“I’m the nominee of the Democratic Party. No one’s pushing me out. I’m not leaving,” Biden said during a call with campaign staff and state governors. Vice-President Kamala Harris, who joined him on the call, reiterated her support. Speculation has been rife about whether Harris could replace Biden as the party’s candidate ahead of the November election.
A fundraising email from the Biden-Harris campaign echoed Biden’s determination. “Let me say this as clearly and simply as I can: I’m running,” Biden stated. However, questions about his fitness for office have intensified, especially after a New York Times poll showed Trump leading by six points. Another poll by CBS News indicated Trump has a three-point lead in crucial battleground states.
The debate performance has led to public calls from some Democratic donors and lawmakers for Biden to step aside. Ramesh Kapur, an Indian-American industrialist and long-time Democratic fundraiser, suggested it might be time for Biden to “pass the torch.” Representative Raul Grijalva of Arizona also called for a change at the top of the party’s ticket.
Despite these pressures, the White House and Biden’s campaign have denied reports that he is considering dropping out. Biden reportedly told an unnamed ally that his re-election bid was in jeopardy, making his upcoming appearances crucial. He has planned trips to Wisconsin and Philadelphia and is set to appear on ABC News for his first televised interview since the debate.
Biden’s campaign has been working to reassure senior Democrats, including a group of 20 state governors. Maryland Governor Wes Moore expressed his support, saying, “The president has always had our backs, we’re going to have his back as well.” Biden reportedly told the governors that he needs more sleep and plans to reduce public events and meetings that stretch past 8 PM.
Should Biden step down, Kamala Harris is considered the most likely replacement, despite her poor approval ratings. Her support among Democrats has increased since the debate, and she has been projecting calm and full support for Biden. Trump, meanwhile, has shifted his focus to attacking Harris, suggesting she would be “better” than Biden but still “pathetic.”
In interviews with local radio stations in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, Biden admitted to having a “bad night” during the debate but urged voters to consider his achievements in office. He highlighted his efforts to increase representation, including appointing the first Black woman as a Supreme Court justice and more Black judges than any other president in American history.
Biden also criticized Trump for his comments about Black workers during the debate, accusing him of having no concern for minority communities. The interviews are part of a series of public appearances Biden has planned to make his case for re-election.
A Wall Street Journal poll released Thursday showed Trump leading Biden by six points nationally, with 80% of respondents saying Biden is too old to run for a second term. Another poll by the New York Times/Siena also showed a six-point advantage for Trump. These polls indicate that Biden’s debate performance has hurt him with voters, including independents, a key voting bloc.
Biden’s campaign message for the Fourth of July attacked a recent Supreme Court ruling that presidents are immune from criminal prosecution for acts deemed “official.” He argued that this ruling paves the way for the presidency to become a de facto monarchy, undermining the principle that everyone is equal under the law.
Speculation about Biden’s future continues to grow, with only two congressmen so far calling for him to step aside. Potential replacement candidates, including Kamala Harris, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and California Governor Gavin Newsom, have all expressed strong support for Biden’s re-election.
In a call to campaign workers, Biden reiterated his commitment to running. “I’m the nominee of the Democratic party. No one’s pushing me out. I’m not leaving,” he said. A fundraising email following the call echoed this sentiment, with Biden stating, “Let me say this as clearly and simply as I can: I’m running.”
Biden launched his candidacy in 2019 with the message that the nation was in a battle for its soul. Since then, he has achieved significant wins, including defeating Trump in the 2020 election and leading a Democratic rebuff of Trump’s acolytes in the 2022 midterms. However, concerns about his age and fitness for office persist, with many voters and even some Democrats questioning whether he should run for a second term.
Biden’s age and the unpopularity of Kamala Harris are seen as significant liabilities for the 2024 campaign. Some suggest that Biden should encourage a more open vice-presidential selection process to find a stronger running mate. However, breaking up the ticket could alienate key constituencies, making Biden more vulnerable.
Ultimately, Biden’s decision to run again may hinge on whether he believes he is the best candidate to defeat Trump. As the election approaches, Biden will need to demonstrate his fitness for office and make a compelling case for his re-election to the American public.
Source: BBC News, The Guardian, TIME
