Under mounting pressure from his party to step aside, President Joe Biden responded firmly to reporters in front of the White House, stating his intention to remain in the November contest.
“I’m Not Going Anywhere”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Biden declared to reporters.
Following a poor performance in CNN’s debate against former President Donald Trump last week, Biden struggled to clearly answer questions and outline his plans. Now, Democratic legislators, funders, and analysts are urging the president to drop out of the race before the convention.
Biden’s Message to His Supporters
On the White House lawn, Biden hailed World War II veterans as heroes who fought for freedom and democracy. This address was intended to reassure his followers that he is still fit to challenge Trump. As he concluded his speech, Biden addressed reporters about his political future, reaffirming his commitment to the 2024 contest.
“You got me, man. I’m not going anywhere. Alright,” Biden reiterated. He added humorously, “You know, I used to think, when I was a Senator, there was always congestion on the highways. There’s no congestion anymore! We go out on the highway and there’s no congestion!”
He continued with a light-hearted remark, “The way they get me to stop talking, they’ll say, ‘we just shut down all the roads, Mr. President. You’re gonna lose all the votes if you don’t get in,’ but anyway.”
Behind Closed Doors: Reassuring Democratic Governors
Mediaite reported: “According to multiple reports, Biden spoke with Democratic governors at a private meeting at the White House on Wednesday evening, where he attempted to reassure them about his candidacy. The president told the elected officials that he needed to get more sleep and that his staff have been instructed to avoid scheduling events for him after 8 p.m.”
A Tough Polling Reality
Biden received some unsettling news from a majority of Americans in a new survey following his disappointing debate performance against Trump.
According to a CBS News/YouGov poll released on Sunday, a staggering 72 percent of Americans believe that Biden does not have the “mental and cognitive health to serve as president.” This marks a 7-point increase from just three weeks ago. In comparison, voters are evenly divided on whether former President Donald Trump has the mental and cognitive capacity for the job, with 50 percent saying he does and 49 percent saying he does not.
Party Concerns: Should Biden Run Again?
The survey revealed that an overwhelming number of Americans, including nearly half of his own party, believe that the president should not run for reelection. Overall, 72 percent of respondents told CBS/YouGov that Biden should not seek reelection, and this includes a surprising 46 percent of Democrats.
