In the face of mounting pressure from within his party, President Joe Biden has emphatically stated that he will not abandon his re-election campaign. Speaking on MSNBC's Morning Joe program, Biden declared, "The bottom line here is that I am not going anywhere." This statement comes as Biden seeks to address concerns from fellow Democrats about his age, cognitive abilities, and the overall viability of his campaign.
In a letter to Democratic lawmakers, Biden urged them to unite behind his candidacy, acknowledging their concerns but insisting that it was time to move forward together. "The question of how to move forward has been well-aired for over a week now. And it's time for it to end. We have one job. And that is to beat Donald Trump," Biden wrote. He added, "It is time to come together, move forward as a unified party, and defeat Donald Trump."
Biden's determination to stay in the race comes after a shaky debate performance on June 27 against Republican Donald Trump, which has led to increased calls for him to step aside. Despite having secured enough delegates to win the Democratic presidential nomination, some donors and lawmakers have expressed doubts about his ability to serve another term. However, Biden remains resolute, challenging any dissenters to run against him at the Democratic National Convention in August.
"I don't care what the millionaires think," Biden said, taking a defiant tone against wealthy donors who have called for him to drop out. He further emphasized his commitment by making campaign appearances in Pennsylvania, a crucial battleground state, alongside Senator John Fetterman, who has rejected calls for Biden to step down.
The president's campaign officials have outlined plans for Biden to continue engaging with voters at various venues, including churches and union halls. Additionally, Biden intends to reach out to lawmakers he has known for decades to reassure them and address their concerns.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that one in three registered Democratic voters believe Biden should quit the race, with 59% of respondents in the president's party saying he is too old to work in government. However, the poll also indicated that none of Biden's possible replacements fared better in a matchup against Trump, with both candidates tied at 40% each.
Internal party polling shows that Biden's debate performance has made several races more competitive for Republicans, including those in New Mexico, Virginia, Michigan, and Minnesota. The nonpartisan Center for Politics at the University of Virginia recently shifted its ratings on these states, making them slightly more favorable for Republicans.
As Congress returns to Washington this week, Biden faces a critical period in his campaign. On Sunday, several senior House Democrats voiced their concerns during a phone call with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, urging Biden to step aside. These lawmakers, including Reps. Jerry Nadler, Adam Smith, Mark Takano, and Joe Morelle, represent some of the highest-ranking Democrats on key committees.
In response, Biden has personally reached out to roughly 20 House Democrats and spoken with party leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. While Schumer and Rep. James Clyburn have voiced support for Biden, Jeffries has remained silent.
Senator Mark Warner has also been organizing a group of like-minded senators to explore the possibility of formally requesting Biden to step aside. However, Warner canceled a follow-up meeting scheduled for Monday evening after news of the group's efforts leaked. The next meeting is set for Tuesday with Senate Democrats and their leadership.
Biden's campaign has been proactive in highlighting supportive statements from Hill Democrats, aiming to amplify voices that have expressed confidence in his candidacy. In addition, the campaign hosted a donor call with its national finance committee on Monday, emphasizing the need for continued financial backing.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who met with Biden at the White House last week, expressed his support for the president while acknowledging the concerns from voters. "We always believe that when you love someone, you tell them the truth. And I think we came in and we were honest about the feedback that we were getting," Moore said.
