PHILADELPHIA: US President Joe Biden returned to the campaign trail on Sunday, seeking to revitalize his reelection bid amidst increasing calls within his party for him to withdraw from the White House race.
The 81-year-old Democrat appeared at a predominantly Black church in Philadelphia, the first stop of a two-stop swing through Pennsylvania, a critical battleground state. This campaign effort comes ahead of his hosting duties for the upcoming NATO leaders’ summit in Washington later in the week.
Facing mounting scrutiny and internal dissent, Biden is under pressure following a widely criticized debate performance against former President Donald Trump last month. Concerns over his age and fitness to serve another term have intensified, prompting calls from five Democratic lawmakers for him to exit the race.
Despite these challenges, Biden has maintained a defiant stance, asserting unequivocally that he is fit for office, the best candidate to defeat Trump, and intends to continue his campaign.
High-profile Democrats have treaded cautiously on the issue, stopping short of calling for Biden’s resignation but emphasizing the need for him to address voter concerns about his age and capabilities. Representative Adam Schiff pointed out on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that Biden’s age is a significant factor in the competitiveness of the race against Trump, while suggesting Vice President Kamala Harris could be a formidable candidate.
Democratic Senator Chris Murphy echoed Schiff’s sentiments on CNN’s “State of the Union,” urging Biden to engage more directly with voters through unscripted events to demonstrate his mental acuity and physical vigor.
As internal discussions within the Democratic Party continue, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has convened a virtual meeting of senior representatives to strategize on the path forward. Additionally, Senator Mark Warner is reportedly organizing a similar gathering in the Senate.
First Lady Jill Biden, reportedly supportive of her husband’s decision to stay in the race according to US media, is scheduled to campaign on his behalf in Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina on Monday.
Following his campaign stops in Pennsylvania, Biden will shift focus to the NATO summit starting Tuesday, where he faces the additional challenge of reassuring European allies amid concerns over Trump’s potential return to office. Trump has been critical of NATO, advocating for reduced US involvement and expressing admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
With just four months until election day, any consideration of replacing Biden as the Democratic nominee would need to be addressed promptly, with the party wary of potential division or rebellion. Biden’s campaign strategy appears to center on persistence, with plans for an aggressive July schedule including extensive television advertising and visits to key swing states.
In a recent interview with ABC News, Biden dismissed concerns over his declining poll numbers and questions about his mental sharpness, although his responses at times appeared tentative. He firmly rejected the idea of stepping aside, adding, “If the Lord Almighty came down and said, ‘Joe, get out of the race,’ I’d get out of the race. But the Lord Almighty is not coming down.”
