President Joe Biden is unwavering in his commitment to the 2024 presidential race, despite mounting pressure from within his party and recent speculation about his potential withdrawal. In a decisive statement on Wednesday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declared that Biden is "absolutely not" considering dropping out of the race, refuting a New York Times report suggesting otherwise.
"Absolutely not," Jean-Pierre asserted during a press briefing. "You heard, I believe, directly from the campaign as well."
The New York Times article had indicated that Biden had privately discussed the possibility of exiting the race with close confidants, but Jean-Pierre and other White House officials have firmly denied these claims. The press secretary attributed Biden's lackluster debate performance to a combination of a cold and jet lag following his return from the G-7 summit in Europe.
"It was not his best night. He understands that it is fair for people to ask that question, but we cannot forget his record and what he's been able to do," Jean-Pierre said. "He has the most historic record, the most in modern politics, and that should matter."
Biden himself took an active role in addressing concerns, making a surprise appearance on a Democratic National Committee call alongside Vice President Kamala Harris. The duo aimed to reassure allies and quell the chaos that had erupted within the party post-debate.
"I am running. I am the leader of the Democratic Party. No one is pushing me out," Biden declared on the call, reaffirming his determination to stay in the race. His forceful statement was aimed at dispelling doubts about his candidacy and energizing campaign staff and supporters.
Harris, who has seen a rise in her profile amid discussions of her potential to lead the ticket if Biden steps aside, echoed his sentiments. "We will not back down," she said. "We will follow our president's lead. We will fight, and we will win."
In an effort to maintain morale and focus within the administration, White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients held an all-staff meeting where he urged employees to ignore the "noise" and concentrate on governing. "There have been countless times that the president has been counted out, but he has always seen it through," Zients emphasized.
Despite the strong public front, internal discussions within the Democratic Party have revealed cracks in support for Biden. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) has openly called for Biden to withdraw from the race, and Representative Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), a crucial ally, has expressed his readiness to support Harris if Biden steps down.
Biden's inner circle is acutely aware of the high stakes in the coming days. The president has been reaching out to key Democratic lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senator Chris Coons, and Representative James Clyburn, to consolidate support and strategize for the campaign ahead.
Nevertheless, many Democrats have expressed frustration over Biden's perceived lack of visibility and assertiveness following the debate. Jean-Pierre countered these concerns, highlighting Biden's speech in North Carolina last Friday as an instance where he directly addressed the issues surrounding his performance and age.
"He did address it. He took it head on," Jean-Pierre said, defending the administration's response.
As the political landscape continues to shift, a recent New York Times and Siena College survey revealed that former President Donald Trump now leads Biden by six percentage points among likely voters nationally, reflecting a three-point shift since before the debate. This development has further intensified the urgency for Biden's campaign to strengthen its position and regain momentum.
The Biden-Harris administration remains resolute, focusing on its achievements and the president's long-standing commitment to public service as the bedrock of its campaign narrative. As Biden stated in his call with the DNC, "There is no one I'd rather be in this battle with than all of you. So let's link arms. Let's get this done. You, me, the vice president. Together."
