President Joe Biden reaffirmed his commitment to remain the Democratic nominee for the upcoming November election. Despite mounting pressure following a contentious debate with former President Donald Trump, Biden assured senior Democrats and campaign staff that he is not stepping down.
Biden’s declaration came during a closed-door lunch at the White House with Vice-President Kamala Harris on Wednesday. The meeting took place amid swirling rumors that Harris might replace Biden as the party’s candidate. Following the lunch, Biden and Harris joined a broader call with the Democratic campaign team. “I’m the nominee of the Democratic Party. No one’s pushing me out. I’m not leaving,” Biden stated firmly during the call, according to a source who spoke to BBC News.
This message was echoed later that day in a fundraising email sent by the Biden-Harris campaign. “Let me say this as clearly and simply as I can: I’m running,” Biden emphasized in the email, adding, “I’m in this race until the end.”
Biden’s resolute stance comes in response to a wave of criticism and concern among Democrats following his performance in last week’s debate with Trump. The debate, described by many as disastrous for Biden, has fueled discussions about his viability as a candidate. Senior party members have expressed worries about his ability to secure a victory in the upcoming election, given the significant challenges highlighted during the debate.
Despite the internal dissent, Biden and Harris presented a united front. Harris, who has been a vocal supporter of Biden throughout his presidency, reiterated her backing during the campaign call. The vice-president’s support is seen as crucial in maintaining party unity and bolstering Biden’s position.
The fundraising email underscored Biden’s unwavering determination to continue his campaign. The email, sent to supporters just hours after the call, highlighted his commitment to the race and aimed to rally financial and moral support from the Democratic base.
As the election draws closer, the Biden-Harris campaign faces the dual challenge of assuaging internal party concerns while mobilizing voters. Biden’s pledge to stay in the race is a clear signal to both his supporters and detractors that he intends to see his campaign through to the end.
