Biden Allies Reject Calls for Him to Drop Out of Presidential Race
01.07.2024: Despite some concerns, Democratic allies of President Joe Biden are standing firm in their support for his re-election campaign. The 81-year-old faced criticism after a challenging debate performance, but key figures in the Democratic Party dismiss the idea that he should withdraw from the 2024 race.
Strong Support from Democratic Leaders
While President Biden was at Camp David for a family gathering, top Democratic leaders rallied behind him. They firmly rejected suggestions that he should end his campaign due to his debate performance against former President Donald Trump.
Debate Performance Criticized
During the nationally televised 90-minute debate, Biden struggled at times, even mistakenly stating that he had “killed off Medicare.” A recent CBS-YouGov poll indicated that 72% of Americans questioned Biden’s mental and cognitive health, a seven-point drop from three weeks prior.
Polls Show Tight Race
Despite these concerns, national polling still shows a close race between Biden and Trump. Some Democratic leaders and editorial boards have suggested that Biden step aside for a younger candidate, but key officials remain supportive of his candidacy.
Statements from Democratic Leaders
Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia emphasized on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that bad debates happen to everyone. “I’m with Joe Biden, and it’s our assignment to make sure that he gets over the finish line come November,” he said.
Representative Jim Clyburn of South Carolina told CNN that he believes Biden has done a great job leading the country and will continue to do so. “The best predictor of future behavior is past performance,” Clyburn stated.
Governor Wes Moore of Maryland also voiced his support on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” acknowledging that while Biden had a difficult night, it shouldn’t force him out of the race.
Fundraising Success
Biden’s campaign reported raising $33 million since the debate, indicating strong financial backing. Campaign officials argued that replacing Biden would lead to chaos and increase the chances of losing the national election.
Republican Criticism
Reince Priebus, former chairman of the Republican National Committee, described Biden’s debate performance as “an incoherent, almost impossible mess.” Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina called Biden a “failed president” but acknowledged him as a decent man.
Biden’s Response
Biden has shown no indication of withdrawing from the race. He addressed supporters, acknowledging his age and slower pace but reaffirmed his commitment to telling the truth and leading the country.
“I know I’m not a young man. I don’t walk as easily as I used to. I don’t speak as smoothly as I used to. I don’t debate as well as I used to, but I know how to tell the truth!” Biden said.
Despite criticisms and calls for him to drop out, President Biden remains determined to continue his campaign for a second term. His allies in the Democratic Party are standing by him, emphasizing his past leadership and rejecting the notion that he should step aside.