President Joe Biden stood resolute on Monday against calls from within his own party to drop his reelection bid, urging an end to the internal strife that has plagued the Democrats since his lackluster debate performance last month. As congressional Democrats returned to Washington, torn between reviving his campaign or pushing him out, Biden issued an open letter to quell doubts about his capability to lead the nation for another term. He emphasized that the party’s primary goal is to defeat the presumptive Republican nominee, Donald Trump, in the upcoming election.
Biden’s letter, distributed by his reelection campaign, underscored the urgency of unity within the party. “We have 42 days to the Democratic Convention and 119 days to the general election,” he wrote. “Any weakening of resolve or lack of clarity about the task ahead only helps Trump and hurts us. It’s time to come together, move forward as a unified party, and defeat Donald Trump.”
Following the letter, Biden appeared on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” where he reiterated that “average Democrats” want him to stay in the race. He expressed frustration with party officials calling for his withdrawal, challenging them to either run against him or support him in the fight against Trump. Later, Biden engaged with his national finance committee, while First Lady Jill Biden campaigned in a three-state tour focused on veterans and military families. “Joe has made it clear that he’s all in,” she told a crowd in Wilmington, North Carolina. “That’s the decision that he’s made, and just as he has always supported my career, I am all in, too.”
On Capitol Hill, key figures began to rally behind Biden. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, chair of the House’s Congressional Progressive Caucus, emphasized the high stakes of a potential second Trump presidency. However, Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, facing a tough reelection, stated, “President Biden has got to prove to the American people — including me — that he’s up to the job for another four years.”
Despite Biden’s efforts, some House Democrats remained dissatisfied, wanting direct communication from the President. Biden met virtually with the Congressional Black Caucus, a steadfast group of supporters, to discuss his policy proposals and express gratitude for their backing. No one in the caucus spoke against him during the call.
Biden is also expected to meet with the Congressional Progressive Caucus, according to Jayapal. Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed that Biden had undergone three neurological exams during his presidency, with no diagnosis of Parkinson’s.
The Democratic National Convention looms just over a month away, with Republicans set to renominate Trump in Milwaukee. Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts warned that Democrats risk losing focus on defeating Trump. “We’re losing the plot here,” she said.
Rep. Maxine Waters of California and Rep. Frank Pallone of New Jersey also voiced their support for Biden. Trump, meanwhile, predicted that Biden would stay in the race, citing his ego as a driving factor.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries reaffirmed his support for Biden, while other House Democrats avoided the topic. Rep. Adam Smith of Washington publicly called for Biden to step aside, stating it would be “a mistake” for him to continue his campaign.
Biden’s allies anticipate more direct engagement with lawmakers as he works to solidify his candidacy. On a call with his campaign co-chairs, Biden asked who else needed to hear from him and who had unresolved concerns, according to Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware. “He is out there doing his job as a candidate and doing his job as president,” Coons said.
Rep. Annie Kuster of New Hampshire has requested that Biden address the entire Democratic caucus to help lawmakers respond to constituent questions. Rep. Nanette Barragan of California, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, also supports Biden and believes he should engage with as many members as possible.
Senators returning to Washington were generally cautious in their comments about Biden, awaiting a Democratic caucus meeting to discuss concerns. Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado praised Biden’s past performance and expressed hope for continued success. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Alex Padilla of California also voiced their support for Biden.
Despite some discomfort among donors, strategists working on House and Senate races reported record fundraising, viewing congressional Democrats as a crucial defense against Trump.
As Biden navigates criticism from within his party, he remains focused on unifying Democrats to defeat Trump in the upcoming election. His supporters on Capitol Hill are rallying to his side, emphasizing the importance of party unity in the face of a potential second Trump presidency.
Source: Associated Press, The Guardian
