US PRESIDENT Joe Biden has confirmed that he will continue to run for president, despite calls to withdraw after his performance in last week’s debate was criticized.
Biden held a private lunch with Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House on Wednesday, July 3. Harris’ name has emerged as a possible Democratic nominee in November’s election.
Biden and Harris joined a call with the Democratic campaign, with Biden reiterating that he would stay in the race and Harris reiterating her support.
“I’m the Democratic nominee. There’s no one pushing me away. I’m not leaving,” Biden said in the call, according to a source who spoke to BBC News.
The same phrase was repeated in a fundraising email sent hours after the Biden-Harris campaign spoke with Democrats.
“Let me say this as clearly and simply as possible: I will run,” Biden said in the email, making it clear he is in the race until the end.
Also read: New York Times Says Joe Biden Should Withdraw from 2024 US Election
Questions have been raised about whether the 81-year-old Biden will continue his campaign after a poor debate performance against rival Donald Trump, raising concerns among Democrats about his fitness for office and his ability to win the election.
Pressure on Biden to resign grew in the days that followed as more polls showed a lead over Republican rival Trump.
A New York Times poll conducted after the debate showed Trump maintaining his biggest lead so far at six points. A separate poll published by the BBC’s US partner CBS News showed Trump leading Biden by three points in battleground states. It also showed the former president ahead nationally.
Read also: Trump Team Claims Victory in First Debate Against Biden
The polling woes have been compounded by some Democratic donors and lawmakers publicly calling on President Biden to drop out of the race. Ramesh Kapur, an Indian-American industrialist living in Massachusetts who has been organizing fundraisers for Democrats since 1988. “I think it’s time for him to pass on the baton,” Kapur told the BBC. “I know he has the determination, but you can’t fight nature.”
Two Democrats in Congress have also called for changes in the party’s leadership. The latest, Arizona’s Raul Grijalva, told the New York Times that it’s time for Democrats to look for alternative candidates.
However, the White House and Biden’s campaign have denied he is considering dropping out of the race and said he is committed to defeating Trump for a second time in the November 5 election.
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