President Joe Biden is facing one of the most challenging periods of his political career, as doubts from within his party and a lackluster debate performance threaten to derail his reelection campaign. Amidst rising speculation about his capability to secure a second term, Biden has been working tirelessly to demonstrate his commitment and vitality.
The president's Fourth of July gathering at the White House, surrounded by family and key political allies, was meant to be a moment of regrouping. The holiday offered a rare respite from the relentless pace of political campaigning, giving Biden a brief window to strategize and recover. Yet, even as he declared his determination to stay in the race, questions about his ability to lead the Democratic Party to victory against Donald Trump persist.
"I am running. I'm the nominee of the Democratic Party. No one's pushing me out. I'm not leaving," Biden firmly stated during a phone call with campaign staff on Wednesday. This declaration came as a direct response to swirling rumors, reported by The New York Times and CNN, suggesting that Biden might consider stepping aside due to his recent performance setbacks.
The president's debate performance last week has left a lasting impression on the public and his supporters. Biden's aides have attempted to explain away his faltering moments by attributing them to jet lag and a cold. However, these explanations have done little to quell concerns about his stamina and coherence, especially as he prepares for another intense campaign season.
On Wednesday, Biden took proactive steps to address these concerns. He met with 20 Democratic governors at the White House, a move aimed at showcasing his leadership and rallying support. Among the attendees was Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who expressed his confidence in Biden's ability to win in November. "He has had our backs through COVID, through all of the recovery, all of the things that have happened," Walz told reporters. "The governors have his back."
Despite these efforts, the president's support base appears to be eroding. Representative Raúl Grijalva of Arizona became the second Democratic lawmaker to publicly suggest that Biden step aside. Grijalva told The New York Times, "This is an opportunity to look elsewhere." He emphasized that Biden needs to take responsibility for the party's future by considering an exit from the race.
Adding to Biden's woes, a New York Times/Siena College poll revealed that Trump now leads Biden by 49% to 43% among likely voters nationally, a significant shift from before the debate. The poll results highlight the urgency for Biden to regain his footing and convince voters of his viability as a candidate.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre faced tough questions during a briefing, where she reiterated that Biden's poor debate performance was due to jet lag and a cold. "What I want to say is, it's the jet lag and also the cold right? It is the two things and that occurred, and you heard it in his voice when he did the debate," she stated. However, these explanations have only amplified concerns about Biden's physical and mental fitness for the presidency.
Biden's efforts to rally support continued with a series of calls to key Democratic leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He also recorded radio interviews for swing states Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, aiming to bolster his campaign's presence in these critical areas.
Meanwhile, potential Democratic alternatives like California Governor Gavin Newsom have publicly voiced their support for Biden. Newsom stated, "Joe Biden's had our back. Now it's time to have his." Despite these endorsements, there remains an undercurrent of concern about Biden's ability to lead the party to victory.
Biden's predicament has also drawn the attention of the Trump campaign. Co-campaign chairs Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles issued a statement warning that any replacement candidate would face scrutiny for allegedly hiding Biden's condition from the public.
Amidst these challenges, Biden remains steadfast. In a Milwaukee radio interview with Earl Ingram, Biden admitted, "I had a bad night. And the fact of the matter is that I screwed up. I made a mistake." He emphasized his long-term accomplishments, urging voters to consider his overall record rather than one debate performance.
