RALEIGH: President Joe Biden affirmed on Friday his determination to defeat Republican rival Donald Trump in the upcoming November presidential election, showing no indication of considering withdrawal despite a dull debate performance that disappointed fellow Democrats.
“I know I am not a young man, to state the obvious,” a buoyant Biden remarked at a rally the day after his head-to-head encounter with Trump, which many viewed as a setback for the 81-year-old President. “I do not walk as easily as I used to, I do not speak as smoothly as I used to, I do not debate as well as I used to,” he acknowledged, as the crowd chanted “Four more years.”
“I wouldn’t be running again if I did not believe with all my heart and soul that I could do this job. The stakes are too high,” Biden emphasized.
Biden’s verbal missteps and sometimes wandering responses during the debate intensified voter concerns about his fitness for another term, prompting some Democrats to consider the possibility of replacing him as their candidate for the November 5 U.S. election.
Campaign spokesperson Michael Tyler dismissed such speculation, stating, “We’d rather have one bad night than a candidate with a bad vision for where he wants to take the country.” The campaign reassured staff in an “all hands on deck” meeting on Friday afternoon that Biden would not be exiting the race, according to insiders.
Despite Trump, 78, disseminating numerous falsehoods during the debate, the post-debate focus remained on Biden, especially among Democrats. When asked about his faith in Biden’s candidacy, Democratic Party leader in the U.S. House of Representatives Hakeem Jeffries avoided a direct response, saying, “I support the ticket. I support the Senate Democratic majority. We are going to do everything possible to take back the House in November. Thank you, everyone.”
Some other Democrats were similarly non-committal regarding Biden’s candidacy. “That’s the president’s decision,” commented Democratic Senator Jack Reed. However, prominent figures like former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama expressed their continued support for Biden. Obama stated, “Bad debate nights happen. Trust me, I know. But this election is still a choice between someone who has fought for ordinary folks his entire life and somebody who only cares about himself.”
The New York Times editorial board, which endorsed Biden in 2020, urged him to withdraw from the race to enhance the Democratic Party’s chances against Trump. “The greatest public service Mr. Biden can now perform is to announce that he will not continue to run for re-election,” the editorial stated.
Biden’s campaign reported raising $14 million on Thursday and Friday, with its best fundraising hour following the debate. Trump’s campaign also saw a boost, raising $8 million on the debate night.
Preliminary viewership data indicated that 48 million Americans watched the debate, significantly fewer than the 73 million who tuned in for the candidates’ final face-off in 2020. Biden, already the oldest president in U.S. history, faced minimal opposition during the Democratic primary and has secured enough support to be the nominee. Trump similarly overcame his intra-party challenges, setting the stage for a fierce general election battle.
Should Biden step aside, the Democratic Party would have less than two months to choose another nominee at its national convention, a potentially complicated process involving Vice President Kamala Harris and other potential candidates.
TRUMP TARGETS VIRGINIA
At a rally in Chesapeake, Virginia, Trump celebrated a “big victory against a man looking to destroy our country.” “Joe Biden’s problem is not his age,” Trump argued, “It’s his competence.”
Trump advisors believed the debate would strengthen their position in Democratic-leaning states like Virginia, which hasn’t supported a Republican presidential candidate since 2004. Trump supporters voiced concern over Biden’s performance, with one attendee, Mike Boatman, expressing fear that Democrats might replace Biden with a more competitive candidate. Trump fundraisers reported increased enthusiasm from donors, with Ed McMullen, a former ambassador under Trump, calling the debate a “watershed moment” for fundraising.
Concerns about Trump’s fitness for office also persist due to his conviction last month in New York, his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, and his chaotic term. He faces sentencing on July 11 and three other criminal indictments, though none are expected to go to trial before November.
Biden’s shaky debate performance drew global reactions, with some allies bracing for Trump’s potential return.
