Biden Declares Intent to Stay in Presidential Race Amid Rising Pressure to Withdraw

Biden declares intent to stay in presidential race amid pressure to withdraw. Stay updated on Biden’s decision and its impact on the 2024 elections.

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President Joe Biden reassured senior Democrats and his campaign staff on Wednesday amid growing speculation about his future following a poor debate performance against Donald Trump last week.

During a private lunch at the White House with Vice-President Kamala Harris, the two leaders discussed the escalating pressure on Biden to step aside.

Following the lunch, they participated in a call with the broader Democratic campaign team, where Biden firmly stated his intention to remain the party’s nominee. “I’m the nominee of the Democratic Party. No one’s pushing me out. I’m not leaving,” Biden asserted, according to a source. This sentiment was echoed in a fundraising email sent out by the Biden-Harris campaign shortly afterward. “Let me say this as clearly and simply as I can: I’m running,” Biden affirmed in the email, emphasizing his commitment to the race.

Concerns over Biden’s ability to continue his campaign have intensified following his debate with Trump, which was marred by noticeable verbal missteps and unclear responses. This has led to growing anxiety among Democrats about his fitness for office and his chances of securing victory in the upcoming election.

The pressure on Biden has increased as recent polls indicate a widening lead for Trump. A New York Times poll released on Wednesday showed Trump leading Biden by six points, his largest margin to date. A separate poll by CBS News also indicated Trump was ahead by three points in key battleground states and had a national lead.

The unfavorable polling results have been exacerbated by public calls from some Democratic donors and lawmakers for Biden to withdraw. Ramesh Kapur, a long-time Democratic fundraiser, suggested it might be time for Biden to “pass the torch.” Similarly, Representative Raul Grijalva of Arizona stated that Democrats should consider new leadership.

Despite the mounting pressure, the White House and the Biden campaign have strongly denied reports that the President is contemplating withdrawing from the race. They emphasize that he remains committed to defeating Trump in the November election. Reports from the New York Times and CNN suggested that Biden had confided in an ally about his concerns regarding his re-election bid and the critical importance of his upcoming public appearances, including an ABC News interview and a rally in Wisconsin.

A spokesperson for the President dismissed these reports as “absolutely false.” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated this stance, stating, “We asked the president [and] the president responded directly… and said ‘no, it is absolutely false’. That’s coming direct from him.”

In a call with White House staff on Wednesday, Chief of Staff Jeff Zients encouraged the team to remain focused and continue their efforts. “Get things done. Execution. Execution. Execution,” he emphasized, highlighting the accomplishments under Biden’s leadership and the potential for future achievements.

Later that day, Biden met with 20 Democratic governors, including potential successors such as California’s Gavin Newsom and Michigan’s Gretchen Whitmer. Maryland Governor Wes Moore and New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed their support for Biden, affirming his commitment to the campaign.

Vice-President Harris, despite facing poor approval ratings, remains a key figure in the campaign. Following the debate, she expressed unwavering support for Biden in a CNN interview and continued her campaign efforts. “She’s changing nothing,” a source close to Harris stated, highlighting her dedication to being a supportive partner to the President.

Members of the Democratic National Committee, responsible for officially nominating the party’s candidate at the August convention, have largely backed Biden. One delegate suggested that Harris should be the nominee if Biden chose to withdraw, warning that an open convention could lead to chaos and hurt the party’s chances in November.

A report from the Washington Post noted that Biden and his team are aware of the need to demonstrate his fitness for office in the coming days. Biden appeared at a Medal of Honor ceremony on Wednesday and has scheduled trips to Wisconsin and Philadelphia, signaling his determination to continue his campaign efforts.

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SOURCE: BBC NEWS.COM

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