Joe Biden Vows to Fight On Despite More Calls for Him to Step Down

By
Shernice Sim
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Despite a chorus of calls from fellow Democrats urging him to step down, US President Joe Biden, at the ripe age of 81, has decided to stick to his guns and stay in the White House race. 

Biden, isolating at his Delaware beach house thanks to a bout of Covid-19, penned a fiery statement, “The stakes are high, and the choice is clear. Together, we will win.” He’s not just recovering, he’s planning his comeback tour on the campaign trail next week, ready to take on former President Donald Trump.

But here’s where the plot thickens: While Biden is focusing on recuperating, Democrats are growing restless with six more House Democrats and another senator joining the bandwagon and publicly calling for Biden to drop out of the race.

In total, around 25 House Democrats and three senators have voiced their doubts about Biden’s chances of winning, especially after a disastrous debate performance against Trump (which he had attributed to jet lag and a cold) and rather worrying poll numbers.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and even President Barack Obama have reportedly expressed their concerns behind closed doors.

Democratic Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico became the third senator to call for Biden to step aside, praising him but urging a new candidate to secure the party’s future.

When asked for his opinions on the radio, House Democratic minority leader Hakeem Jeffries played it cool by saying that it is ultimately Biden’s decision to make, but also acknowledged that they have “a fight on their hands.”

At least a dozen Democratic lawmakers have publicly urged Biden to step aside, with Vice President Harris seen as the likely successor, with some writing heartfelt letters and others penning opinion pieces.

It is not just the lawmakers, though. A recent poll showed that 58% of Democratic voters think Biden is too old for another term. Independent voters are even more harsh, with 70% sharing that view.

Adding to the intrigue, anonymous sources whisper to the media that Biden and his family might be cooking up a way to exit with dignity, heeding warnings from senior Democrats that perhaps it’s time to pass the torch. This has not been confirmed, however.

Instead, Biden’s camp pushes back hard. His campaign chairwoman, Jen O’Malley Dillon, emphatically stated on American news channel MSNBC’s Morning Joe, “Absolutely, the President’s in this race. Joe Biden is more committed than ever to beat Donald Trump.”

Biden, who beat Trump in 2020 and became the oldest president in US history, still faces health concerns and slipping poll numbers presently.

Recent surveys show him trailing Trump in critical battleground states, raising alarm bells within the party. As media gossip reaches a fever pitch, Biden is reportedly using his Delaware retreat to consult with family and ponder his next steps.

Biden’s Campaign Team is Holding the Line

Even with the clamour for change, Biden’s campaign is not backing down. O’Malley Dillon acknowledges there’s “a lot of work to do” but insists that Biden’s support did not drop significantly.

She candidly admits on MSNBC, “Yes, he’s old, but he can do the job and he can win.”

A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll earlier this week found Biden and Trump neck-and-neck nationally, but battleground states tell a different story, with Biden lagging behind in most of them.

If Biden were to step aside, Vice President Kamala Harris, 59, could step up as the Democratic candidate. Some polls suggest she might fare slightly better against Trump in a head-to-head matchup.

The campaign’s finances could hit a snag if Biden drops out. With US$91 million in campaign funds on the line, it would be tricky to figure out how to reallocate all these resources.

On short notice, Harris addressed their donors and supporters to reassure them, saying she believes “in my heart of hearts” that they can win the election with Biden.

Prominent figures like New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have also stood by Biden, emphasising the risks of entering the convention without him as the presumptive nominee.

Influential caucuses, such as the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus, which have 40 and 60 members respectively, have stayed loyal and also shown their support for Biden.

Publicly, Biden insists he’s staying in the race. He’s previously declared that only “the Lord Almighty” could make him step down but recently suggested he’d reconsider if advised by a doctor about a serious medical condition.

According to a campaign memo released on Friday, 19 July, Biden is not budging.

“Joe Biden has made it more than clear: He’s in this race and he’s in it to win it,” the memo states.

Meanwhile, Trump is on a victory lap, rallying his base with dramatic tales, like surviving an assassination attempt and bashing Biden’s administration.

The Democratic National Convention kicks off on 19 August, with the Democratic National Committee (DNC) expected to meet virtually by the first week of August to officially nominate Biden.

When asked if any other candidate could challenge Biden in the pre-call vote, the DNC stated that any challenger to Biden would need the verified support of hundreds of delegates, an almost impossible task given Biden’s primary victories.

As the days tick down to the convention, all eyes are on Biden. Will he stay the course, or will the mounting pressure force a change in the Democratic ticket? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure – the stakes have never been higher.

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Shernice Sim