On Friday, President Joe Biden received support from an influential Democratic figure, Representative James Clyburn, who affirmed that the 81-year-old should continue his reelection campaign following a prominent press conference.
“I am fully committed. I’m standing with Biden regardless of the direction he takes,” Clyburn expressed on NBC’s “Today” show.
Clyburn, aged 83, is a prominent voice among Black Americans, a crucial demographic for Biden’s 2024 campaign. Having served in Congress for over three decades, Clyburn was instrumental in Biden’s successful 2020 presidential campaign.
Conversely, another congressional Democrat urged Biden to step aside to allow a different party candidate to lead, bringing the total to 18 Democrats who have made similar appeals.
“Please pass the torch to one of our many capable Democratic leaders so we have the best chance to defeat Donald Trump,” Representative Brittany Pettersen posted on social media.
Democratic politicians, donors, and activists are evaluating whether Biden remains the optimal candidate to challenge Republican Donald Trump in the November 5 election and serve another term in the White House.
Opinion polls show a close race, with most U.S. voters entrenched in ideological divides.
Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, mentioned he had a meeting with Biden on Thursday night to convey the party’s diverse perspectives on his candidacy. Jeffries did not disclose Biden’s response.
“I directly expressed the full range of insights, heartfelt perspectives, and conclusions about the path forward,” Jeffries wrote in a letter to his colleagues.
Democrats are concerned that Biden’s low approval ratings and growing doubts about his age may lead to losses in the House and Senate, potentially leaving them without power in Washington if Trump wins the presidency.
Thursday’s press conference offered material for both Biden supporters and critics. Biden referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as “Vice President Trump” and earlier mistakenly introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as “President Putin” at the NATO summit, eliciting gasps from the audience.
Although Biden occasionally stumbled in his responses, he also provided detailed analyses of global issues, including the conflict between Ukraine and Russia and the Israel-Gaza situation, showcasing his extensive experience in international affairs.
A senior Biden campaign official, who spoke anonymously, described the performance as “the worst of all worlds. Not good. But not bad enough to make him reconsider.”
A strategist from Biden’s 2020 campaign noted that the performance would not alleviate Democratic concerns.
Fundraiser Dmitri Mehlhorn mentioned that other donors saw Biden’s performance as strong. “This is the person who can beat Trump. The mistakes are known, and the potential is significant,” he told Reuters.
Biden aims to refocus attention on Trump during an evening rally in Detroit. He and other Democrats have cautioned that the conservative Project 2025 policy agenda could give Trump unchecked power. Trump has distanced himself from the project.
After two weeks of fallout from Biden’s debate performance, Democrats hope the focus shifts to Trump and his agenda as the Republican Party convenes in Milwaukee to formally nominate him for president.
Detroit, where Biden will rally, is also home to the United Auto Workers labor union, whose leaders endorsed Biden but are currently reassessing their stance, according to three sources who spoke to Reuters.
An NPR/PBS poll released on Friday showed Biden leading Trump 50% to 48%, a slight improvement from his pre-debate position. When third-party candidates were included, Biden’s performance was slightly weaker than Trump’s.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll last week found Biden and Trump tied at 40% each. However, some nonpartisan analysts have warned that Biden is losing ground in the key swing states that will decide the election outcome.
