‘No one’s pushing me out’: President Biden tells campaign he won’t withdraw from race
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden reassured his campaign staff on Wednesday that he will indeed be the 2024 Democratic nominee, firmly stating he has no plans to withdraw from the race. His message came during a conference call amidst growing concerns within his team.
Joining him on the call was Vice President Kamala Harris. Both addressed the heightened pressure following Biden’s recent debate performance, which left many questioning his capability to continue. Biden, 81, aimed to calm the waters and clear any confusion.
“The past few days have been challenging. I’m aware you’ve been fielding a lot of calls and have many questions,” Biden told his campaign team, as relayed by a source familiar with the conversation. “Let me be clear and simple: I am running. I’m the Democratic Party nominee. No one’s pushing me out. I’m committed to this race to the end, and we’ll succeed because when Democrats stand united, we always win.”
Biden and Harris aimed to lift the spirits of their campaign, reminding everyone of the high stakes, especially in the face of a potential rematch with former President Donald Trump. Biden’s message emphasized resilience. “If you get knocked down, you get back up,” he reiterated.
Their joint message to the team, as shared by the source, was: “Let’s go win this.”
“I’m in this race to the end and we’re going to win because when Democrats unite, we will always win. Just as we beat Donald Trump in 2020, we’re going to beat him again in 2024,” Biden declared.
Harris, who would be the likely successor if Biden were to step down, echoed his sentiments. “We will not back down. We will follow our president’s lead. We will fight, and we will win,” she assured the team.
Biden wrapped up his call by thanking his team, expressing that the stakes are too high to consider backing down. “There’s no one I’d rather be in this battle with than all of you. So let’s join forces and get this done,” he encouraged.
The White House and the Biden campaign have been busily addressing the aftermath of Biden’s debate performance, characterized as disastrous by some. Representative Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz., spoke to the New York Times, becoming the second sitting Congress member, after Representative Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, to suggest Biden should end his campaign.
Polling data from a USA TODAY/Suffolk University survey post-debate indicates Trump has gained a 3 percentage point lead over Biden, standing at 41% to Biden’s 38%.
To allay Democratic concerns, Biden held discussions with key Democratic leaders, including House Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senator Chris Coons, D-Del., and Representative Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., according to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
Jean-Pierre was also firm when asked if Biden might drop out: “Absolutely not.”
Simultaneous to the campaign call, Biden’s chief of staff, Jeff Zients, addressed all White House staff, emphasizing teamwork and mission execution.
Biden met with Democratic governors at the White House and others virtually via Zoom on Wednesday night, seeking to address their concerns post-debate. While presiding over a Medal of Honor ceremony, Biden avoided reporters’ questions but made a light reference to his debate performance, humorously remarking about honoree Private George D. Wilson’s debating skills.
The Trump campaign welcomed the idea of Biden not being the Democratic nominee, with co-campaign managers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles stating, “President Trump will beat any Democrat on November 5th because he has a proven record and an agenda to Make America Great Again.”
Biden offered a new reason for his debate performance while addressing supporters at a fundraiser, citing fatigue from recent overseas travel. Jean-Pierre backed this explanation, mentioning both jet lag and a cold.
Amidst questions about Biden’s health, Jean-Pierre insisted that the president is “as sharp as ever.”
