President Joe Biden is determined to continue his presidential campaign despite the aftermath of last week’s debate performance, expressing his commitment to remain in the race amidst growing concerns within his own party.
President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris reaffirmed their reelection bid during a campaign call with all staff members on Wednesday.
“I’m fully committed to this race and we will emerge victorious because when Democrats unite, we always succeed. Just like we defeated Donald Trump in 2020, we will defeat him again in 2024,” President Biden stated to the staff, according to a source familiar with his remarks.
Later, the president emphasized, “There is no one else I’d rather have by my side in this fight than all of you. So let’s come together. Let’s accomplish this. You, me, the vice president. Together.”
Despite external speculations, the White House confirmed that President Biden has no intentions of stepping down or withdrawing from the race.
“The president is resolute and remains in the race,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre informed reporters on Wednesday afternoon.
The president’s missteps during his first 2024 debate with former president Donald Trump have overshadowed his criticisms of Trump’s falsehoods during the encounter and prompted various responses to address concerns.
In the following days, two House Democrats — Texas Rep. Lloyd Doggett and Arizona Rep. Raúl Grijalva — publicly urged President Biden to exit the race.
However, a prominent Democratic donor expressed skepticism that this pressure would influence the president’s decision.
Seeking to address dissent, President Biden engaged in discussions with key figures like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, along with key allies like Sen. Chris Coons and South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn.
Democratic governors, including those who have campaigned for Biden, are set to meet the president at the White House to discuss the race and the importance of defeating Donald Trump.
New polls released on Wednesday indicate a decline in support for President Biden nationally, with Trump widening his lead. The Biden campaign’s pollster Molly Murphy underscored the need to focus on voter outreach and the choice in the upcoming election.
Amid the evolving dynamics of the race, the Biden campaign launched a new ad stressing the significance of the election in safeguarding democracy and combating a potential return of Trump’s presidency.
While the Trump campaign remains confident in their candidate’s prospects, the White House has affirmed that President Biden is in good health and as sharp as ever.
American voters can expect to see more of President Biden in the coming days, with scheduled appearances including campaign travel, interviews, and a press conference during the NATO leaders summit.
