US President Joe Biden vowed to remain in the White House race on Friday, despite a growing revolt within the Democratic party. This defiance fueled speculation that he might step down as early as this weekend.
“The stakes are high, and the choice is clear. Together, we will win,” the 81-year-old said in a statement from the Delaware beach home where he is in Covid isolation.
“I look forward to getting back on the campaign trail next week,” Biden added, as his doctor said the president was bouncing back from the symptoms of the disease.
However, Biden’s political health seemed to be in worse shape, with ten more House Democrats and two senators joining the ranks of lawmakers publicly urging him to withdraw from the November election clash with Donald Trump.
A disastrous debate performance against Trump three weeks ago triggered concerns about Biden’s age and health. Over 30 House Democrats and four senators have now called for him to drop out.
A key donor, Silicon Valley investor Michael Moritz, also joined other supporters, including actor George Clooney, in urging Biden to step aside.
“Sadly, President Biden has a choice — vanity or virtue,” the New York Times quoted Moritz as saying.
With reports of top Democrats expressing concerns, polls showing Trump on course for a return to the Oval Office, and fundraising drying up, the pressure on Biden seemed to be mounting.
NBC News reported that some of Biden’s family had “discussed what an exit from his campaign might look like,” although no final decision had been made.
Vice President Kamala Harris, the front-runner to succeed him as the Democratic presidential candidate if Biden withdraws, held an emergency call with donors on Friday.
Biden’s campaign, however, pushed back against the reports, stating that while there had been some “slippage” in support, he remained the best candidate.
“Absolutely, the president’s in this race,” campaign chairwoman Jen O’Malley Dillon told MSNBC’s Morning Joe program. “Joe Biden is more committed than ever to beat Donald Trump.”
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