Biden Admits Debate Misstep but Commits to Election Bid
U.S. President Joe Biden has confessed that he “screwed up” during last week’s debate with Donald Trump but firmly declared his intention to remain in the election race. In an interview with a Wisconsin radio station, Biden acknowledged his “mistake” in his stumbling debate performance but urged voters to evaluate him based on his presidential record.
Amidst speculation about his future, Biden took steps to reassure key Democratic allies, including state governors and campaign staff. “I’m the nominee of the Democratic Party. No one’s pushing me out. I’m not leaving,” he asserted in a call with campaign members, as reported by BBC News. Vice-President Kamala Harris, who joined Biden on the call, reiterated her support for him.
Rumors have circulated about Harris potentially replacing Biden as the party’s candidate before the November election. However, Biden’s campaign remained confident, sending a fundraising email affirming his candidacy. “Let me say this as clearly and simply as I can: I’m running,” Biden stated.
Concerns about Biden’s performance, marked by verbal slips and a weak voice, have raised doubts about his ability to win the election, especially as polls indicate a widening lead for Trump. A New York Times poll suggested Trump now holds a six-point lead, while a CBS News poll showed Trump ahead by three points in crucial battleground states.
Some Democratic donors and lawmakers have publicly called for Biden to step aside. Among them is Ramesh Kapur, a Massachusetts-based industrialist, who believes it’s time for Biden to “pass the torch.” Representative Raul Grijalva of Arizona also suggested it was time for a change in the party’s leadership.
Despite the pressure, the White House and Biden’s campaign have denied any active discussions about his withdrawal. Reports from the New York Times and CNN indicated that Biden acknowledged the challenges facing his re-election bid but emphasized the importance of his upcoming appearances, including an ABC News interview and a rally in Wisconsin.
Senior Democrats, including governors Gavin Newsom of California and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, met with Biden to show their support. Maryland Governor Wes Moore expressed solidarity, stating, “The president has always had our backs, we’re going to have his back as well.” Nonetheless, Harris remains the most likely replacement should Biden step aside, despite her own struggles with approval ratings.
Trump, sensing an opportunity, has shifted his focus to Harris, mocking both Biden and her in recent comments. Meanwhile, Harris has maintained her support for Biden, with her former communications director noting her dedication as his partner.
Members of the Democratic National Committee will officially nominate the party’s candidate at the August convention. A DNC member suggested that choosing Harris as the nominee would avoid potential chaos. Biden and his team recognize the need to demonstrate his fitness for office in the coming days, with plans for key appearances in Wisconsin and Philadelphia.
In his interview with Wisconsin’s Civic Media, Biden conceded his debate performance was poor but urged listeners to consider his accomplishments over his term. “That’s 90 minutes on stage. Look at what I’ve done in 3.5 years,” he said.
