President Joe Biden has made it clear that only divine intervention could persuade him to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. In a candid interview with ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos, Biden dismissed the growing calls from some members of Congress and major donors for him to step aside. “If the Lord Almighty comes down and tells me that, I might do that,” Biden stated when asked if he would consider stepping aside if he was no longer seen as the best candidate to defeat former President Donald Trump.
Throughout the 22-minute interview, Biden displayed his characteristic stubbornness. The interview aimed to reassure anxious Democrats, some of whom have been urging Biden to step down following a lackluster debate performance. Biden, known for his phrase “Judge me by the alternative, not the almighty,” took it a step further by suggesting that only a higher power could convince him to exit the race. “Look, if the Lord Almighty came down and said, ‘Joe, get out of the race,’ I would get out of the race,” he reiterated. “The Lord Almighty is not coming down.”
Stephanopoulos pressed Biden on how he would respond if influential Democratic leaders like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer or House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries asked him to withdraw. Biden was adamant that such a scenario would never occur and refused to entertain the hypothetical. “I agree that the Lord Almighty is not going to come down,” Stephanopoulos conceded. “But if you are told reliably from your allies in the Democratic Party that they are concerned you will lose the House and Senate if you stay in, what will you do?” Biden, faced with this more earthly consideration, simply declined to answer. “I’m not going to answer that question,” he said. “It’s not going to happen.”
Biden’s campaign has been unwavering in its stance that he will not drop out of the race, despite the growing fractures within the Democratic Party. Following a disastrous debate performance, Biden acknowledged his shortcomings during a speech in North Carolina. “I know I’m not a young man. I don’t walk as easily as I used to. I don’t talk as smoothly as I used to. I don’t debate as well as I used to, but I know what I do know: I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong. And I know how to do this job, I know how to get things done. And I know what millions of Americans know: When you get knocked down, you get back up.”
Biden’s advisers have been working tirelessly to quell the panic among Democratic members of Congress, donors, and other key supporters. The president’s debate performance, marked by a raspy voice and moments of confusion, has raised concerns about the political risks of nominating the oldest-ever president for a second term. Despite these concerns, Biden’s campaign spokesperson Seth Schuster firmly stated, “No,” when asked if Biden would exit the race. “There’s no basis for that,” another Biden adviser told CNN. “There’s nothing that voters have indicated that they agree with that.”
Mitch Landrieu, the campaign’s co-chair, expressed his unwavering confidence in Biden. “I have 100% confidence in Joe Biden,” Landrieu said, adding that it would be “his decision alone whether he’s going to continue.” Despite the anxiety from some donors, the campaign highlighted a record $14 million fundraising haul in 24 hours following the debate. Biden’s advisers have been making calls to ease concerns among Democratic donors as the campaign gears up for a significant fundraising push.
The confidence projected by Biden’s White House and reelection campaign comes amid questions about whether anyone close to the president will try to convince him to suspend his campaign. Democratic congressional leaders are not planning a direct intervention with Biden. Instead, they plan to focus on House and Senate races and assess the strength of Biden’s campaign in the coming weeks. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed his support for Biden but noted that he was waiting to hear from the president at a North Carolina campaign rally.
Even as calls for Biden to consider dropping out of the race grew, Democratic operatives and elected officials appeared resigned to the reality that such a move was highly unlikely. One significant reason is the unwavering support from Biden’s close circle of advisers. One Biden aide argued that while the president is deeply insulated by his tight circle of aides, the final decision rests with him. “The people around him aren’t yes-men. All of them know how to tell him no. But once he makes a decision, they are really good at staying united,” the aide said. “The most likely scenario is that nothing changes.”
Biden’s determination to stay in the race underscores his belief in his ability to lead the country, despite the challenges and criticisms he faces. His defiance in the face of growing calls for him to step aside highlights his commitment to his vision for America’s future. As the 2024 race heats up, Biden’s steadfastness will undoubtedly be a focal point for both his supporters and critics.
Source: ABC News, CNN
