President Joe Biden has firmly rejected calls to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, vowing to continue his re-election bid despite mounting pressure from within the Democratic Party following a challenging debate performance last week.
In a series of meetings and calls with campaign staff, Democratic governors, and lawmakers, Biden reaffirmed his commitment to the race. “I’m not leaving. I’m in this race to the end and we’re going to win,” the president declared during a call with campaign staffers.
The push for Biden to step aside gained momentum after his debate appearance raised concerns about his fitness for office. Two Democratic representatives, Raúl Grijalva of Arizona and Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, publicly suggested it was time for the party to consider alternatives.
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Additionally, some prominent Democratic donors, including Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX) co-founder Reed Hastings, have called for Biden to withdraw.
Recent polls have shown former President Donald Trump gaining ground, with surveys by the Wall Street Journal and New York Times/Siena College indicating Trump leading Biden by margins of 6 and 6 percentage points, respectively.
Despite these challenges, Biden has received support from key allies. In a meeting with 24 Democratic governors, attendees expressed their backing for the president. Maryland Governor Wes Moore stated, “The president has always had our backs. We’re going to have his back as well.”
The Biden campaign is planning several upcoming events to demonstrate the president’s capabilities, including an ABC News interview and campaign stops in Wisconsin and Philadelphia. Biden acknowledged his debate performance, telling a Wisconsin radio station, “I screwed up,” but urged voters to judge him on his overall record in office.
“I made a mistake. That’s 90 minutes on stage. Look at what I’ve done in 3.5 years,” he said.
Speculation has arisen about potential replacements should Biden exit the race, with Vice President Kamala Harris seen as a likely successor. Other names mentioned include Governors Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Gavin Newsom of California.
Related: Biden’s Betting Odds Plummet Post-Debate, Harris Emerges as Potential Alternative
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