President Joe Biden reaffirmed his commitment to the presidential race on Friday, expressing his intention to defeat Republican rival Donald Trump in the upcoming November election. Despite a less-than-stellar debate performance that raised concerns among Democrats, Biden showed no sign of reconsidering his candidacy.
Speaking at a rally, Biden addressed his age and physical limitations with characteristic candor. “I know I’m not a young man, to state the obvious,” the 81-year-old president said. “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 acknowledged, but insisted, “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.”
His performance during the debate, which included several verbal stumbles and meandering responses, has intensified voter concerns about his fitness for another four-year term. These concerns have led some Democrats to question whether a different candidate might better position the party for a victory in the November 5 election.
However, Biden’s campaign remains resolute. Campaign spokesperson Michael Tyler dismissed any discussions about Biden stepping down, stating, “We’d rather have one bad night than a candidate with a bad vision for where he wants to take the country.” An internal “all hands on deck” meeting was held to reassure campaign staff that Biden was firmly in the race.
Despite Trump’s continued propagation of falsehoods during the debate, the spotlight has largely remained on Biden, particularly among his party members. Democratic Party leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, Hakeem Jeffries, sidestepped direct questions about his confidence in Biden’s candidacy, emphasizing broader party goals instead. Similarly, other Democrats have refrained from openly questioning Biden’s decision to run, with some, like Senator Jack Reed, deferring to Biden’s judgment.
Support from key figures in the party, including former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, remains steadfast. Obama, addressing concerns over Biden’s debate performance, highlighted the broader choice facing voters. “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,” Obama stated.
The New York Times editorial board, however, suggested that Biden consider stepping aside to improve the party’s chances against Trump. “The greatest public service Mr. Biden can now perform is to announce that he will not continue to run for re-election,” the editorial argued.
Despite the debate fallout, Biden’s campaign reported raising $14 million over Thursday and Friday, marking its best fundraising hour immediately following the debate. In contrast, the Trump campaign reported $8 million raised on the night of the debate. Preliminary viewership data showed that 48 million Americans watched the debate, significantly fewer than the 73 million viewers for the candidates’ last face-off in 2020.
Biden, the oldest American president in history, faced minimal opposition during the Democratic nominating process and has secured sufficient support to guarantee his spot as the party’s nominee. Trump also overcame intra-party challengers, setting the stage for a fierce general election battle.
If Biden were to step aside, the Democratic Party would have less than two months to select a new nominee at its national convention, starting August 19. This process could potentially pit Vice President Kamala Harris against other prominent Democrats.
At a rally in Chesapeake, Virginia, Trump characterized his debate performance as a “big victory against a man looking to destroy our country,” asserting that Biden’s problem is not his age but his competence. Trump’s advisers believe the debate could strengthen their position in Democratic-leaning states like Virginia.
Trump’s campaign has also capitalized on Biden’s debate performance, with fundraisers reporting enthusiastic responses from donors. Meanwhile, Trump himself faces scrutiny over his recent conviction for covering up a hush money payment, his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, and other legal challenges. He is scheduled for sentencing on July 11, just before the Republican National Convention.
Biden’s debate performance has not only stirred domestic political dynamics but also elicited reactions from global observers, with some of America’s allies bracing for the possibility of Trump’s return to power.
