President Joe Biden used his highly anticipated news conference to defend his foreign and domestic policies and address concerns about his ability to serve another term. Despite a notable flub when referring to Vice President Kamala Harris, Biden largely held his own under intense questioning, dispelling any notion that he was in decline or too old to lead the nation. However, growing calls from Democratic lawmakers and donors for him to step aside continue to challenge his campaign.
Connecticut Rep. Jim Himes, along with a dozen other House Democrats, released a statement calling on Biden to end his candidacy and consider his “remarkable legacy in American history.” The infighting within the Democratic party is diminishing their united front against Donald Trump, leading to doubts about Biden’s chances of winning the election.
Despite the mounting pressure, Biden remains determined to stay in the race. During the news conference, he emphasized his qualifications and dismissed suggestions that he cannot win. However, his campaign has acknowledged that he is behind, and some of his aides privately doubt his ability to turn things around. Yet, there is no organized internal effort to persuade the president to step aside.
In an effort to keep the White House, Biden’s campaign has outlined a strategy focused on winning the “blue wall” states of Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. They dismiss hypothetical polling of alternative nominees as unreliable and argue that negative media coverage is not taken into account in such surveys. Additionally, the campaign has been conducting internal polling on Vice President Kamala Harris to assess her standing among voters.
Biden’s occasional flubs, like referring to Ukraine’s leader as “President Putin,” have raised concerns about his mental acuity. However, Biden remains confident in his ability to lead and noted that he is focused on defeating Putin. He also expressed a willingness to address voters’ concerns directly in the coming days.
Democratic senators have shown divided opinions on Biden’s candidacy. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer organized a meeting to discuss concerns and the path forward, but some senators expressed a desire to hear directly from the president himself. While some senators voiced their support for Biden, others raised questions about his debate performance and its impact on Senate races.
Senator Bernie Sanders remains optimistic about Biden’s chances of winning the election, stating that he believes Biden has a chance to win big. However, Sanders also emphasized the need for Biden to talk more about the future and his plans for the country as Election Day approaches.
In conclusion, President Biden’s news conference provided a defense of his policies and his determination to stay in the race. Despite calls from within his own party to step aside, he remains confident in his ability to lead and win the election. The Democratic party is facing challenges in presenting a united front against Donald Trump, but influential senators continue to support Biden while urging him to address voters’ concerns directly.
