29/06/2024
Struggling Biden Vows to Stay in Presidential Race Despite Concerns Following Debate Performance With Trump!
On Friday, President Joe Biden expressed his determination to emerge victorious in the upcoming presidential election, dismissing any notion of withdrawing from the contest.
His statement came on the heels of a widely panned debate performance, which had left many within his own party feeling disheartened and concerned about his prospects against his Republican opponent, Donald Trump.
Despite the setbacks, Biden remained resolute in his bid for reelection.
“I know I’m not a young man, to state the obvious,” an ebullient Biden said at a rally one day after the head-to-head showdown with his Republican rival – a showdown widely viewed as a defeat for the 81-year-old president.
“I don’t walk as easy as I used to; I don’t speak as smoothly as I used to; I don’t debate as well as I used to,” he said, as the crowd chanted “Four more years.”
“I would not be running again if I didn’t believe with all my heart and soul that I could do this job. The stakes are too high,” Biden said.
President Biden's struggle to articulate his thoughts and deliver clear answers during the debate sparked worries among voters about his ability to lead for another term.
Some Democrats began questioning whether he was still the best choice to represent their party in the upcoming election.
However, campaign spokesperson Michael Tyler quickly dismissed speculation about replacing Biden as the nominee, stating that no such discussions were underway.
Despite the debate performance, the campaign remained committed to supporting the President's reelection bid.
“We’d rather have one bad night than a candidate with a bad vision for where he wants to take the country,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One.
Following the debate, concerns about President Biden's campaign sparked an emergency meeting with his team on Friday afternoon, according to insiders.
Despite efforts to reassure staff that the President was committed to continuing his bid, scrutiny intensified, particularly from within the Democratic Party.
When questioned about his confidence in Biden's candidacy, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries sidestepped the issue, fueling speculation about the President's viability.
Meanwhile, critics pointed out that Biden's opponent, Donald Trump, had spread misinformation during the debate, but the focus remained fixed on the President's performance.
“I support the ticket. I support the Senate Democratic majority. We will do everything possible to take back the House in November. Thank you, everyone,” he told reporters.
Several prominent Democrats declined to publicly endorse President Biden's continued candidacy, sidestepping questions about his suitability to remain in the race.
Their reluctance to offer full-throated support sparked additional uncertainty about the President's political future.
“That’s the president’s decision,” Democratic Senator Jack Reed told a local TV station in Rhode Island.
In a show of support, several high-ranking Democratic leaders, including former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, publicly reaffirmed their backing of President Biden's candidacy.
Their endorsement served as a significant boost to Biden's campaign, underscoring their confidence in his ability to lead the party to victory.
“Bad debate nights happen. Trust me, I know. But this election is still a choice between someone who has fought for ordinary folks his entire life and somebody who only cares about himself,” former Democratic president, Obama wrote on X.
The editorial board of The New York Times, which had previously endorsed President Biden in the 2020 election, issued a striking reversal, urging him to withdraw from the current race.
They argued that this would allow the Democratic Party to select an alternative candidate with a stronger chance of defeating Donald Trump in the upcoming election.
“The greatest public service Mr Biden can now perform is to announce that he will not continue to run for re-election,” the editorial said.
The Biden campaign reported a significant fundraising surge, generating $14 million on Thursday and Friday, with its best hourly total coming immediately after the debate.
In contrast, the Trump campaign raised $8 million on debate night.
Notably, preliminary viewership numbers showed a decline in debate watchers, with 48 million tuning in, compared to 73 million in the previous election cycle.
As the oldest serving US president, Biden faced minimal opposition in the Democratic primaries, securing his spot as the nominee.
Similarly, Trump overcame his Republican challengers early on.
If Biden were to withdraw, the Democratic Party would face a tight timeline to select a new nominee at its August 19 convention, potentially leading to a contentious contest between Vice President Kamala Harris and other prominent Democrats.
At a campaign rally in Chesapeake, Virginia, Donald Trump addressed his supporters, declaring a significant triumph over his political opponent. He emphasized that Joe Biden's weakness lies not in his age, but in his ability to lead effectively.
Trump's campaign team believes the debate will boost their prospects in traditionally Democratic states like Virginia, which has not supported a Republican presidential candidate in over 15 years.
Some Trump enthusiasts expressed concern about Biden's underwhelming performance, with one dedicated supporter, Mike Boatman, worrying that the Democrats might replace him with a stronger candidate.
Meanwhile, Trump's fundraising team reported receiving enthusiastic calls from donors, signaling a surge in support.
“Anyone who raises money knows there’s a time to go to donors, and this is one of those watershed moments,” said Ed McMullen, who served as ambassador to Switzerland during Trump’s presidency.
Trump's suitability for office has been questioned due to various controversies, including his recent criminal conviction in New York related to a hush money payment, his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results, and the tumultuous nature of his presidency.
His sentencing is scheduled for July 11, just before the Republican National Convention.
Additionally, Trump faces three other criminal indictments, although none are expected to go to trial before the November election.
Meanwhile, Joe Biden's underwhelming debate performance sparked widespread international concern and calls for him to withdraw from the race, potentially paving the way for Trump's return to power and leaving US allies bracing for the implications.