As President Biden desperately tries to rehabilitate his campaign following his disastrous performance in last week’s debate, the coming days could determine whether he survives or falls victim to growing calls from within his own party to block his reelection.
The test for the 81-year-old president begins on Friday as he seeks to prove he is strong enough to win a rematch against former President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election.
The rally will begin in the battleground state of Wisconsin on Friday afternoon, followed by a primetime interview with ABC News. On Sunday, the president and first lady Jill Biden will travel to Pennsylvania, another key battleground state the president must win to win reelection.
Through it all, the oldest president in U.S. history will need to show Americans he still has the stamina and acumen to handle the toughest, most demanding job in the world.
Biden boosts spending to stabilize faltering campaign
President Biden and former President Trump will face off in a debate on June 27, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Getty Images)
It was a test that Biden clearly failed last week in Atlanta, Georgia, with his awkward delivery and stumbling answers. Under discussion The feud with Trump has caused widespread panic within the Democratic Party, with political commentators, editorial writers and some party donors calling for Biden to step down as party leader in the 2024 presidential race.
Three House Democrats this week publicly called on Biden to step aside from his reelection effort, while more than a dozen Democratic lawmakers and governors have publicly expressed serious concerns about Biden’s ability to continue serving as the party’s standard-bearer.
What Biden said about his debate performance
The coming days could determine Biden’s success or failure, with post-debate polls showing numerous red flags and leading Democrats growingly calling for the president to decide quickly whether he can continue successfully campaigning.
President Joe Biden reacts after speaking at a campaign rally in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, June 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley) (AP Photo/Matt Kelly)
Biden’s campaign has repeatedly insisted the president has no intention of dropping out of the race.
And the president has publicly remained unwavering.
“I am the Democratic nominee. No one is trying to get rid of me. I am not leaving the party, I am fighting this race to the end, and we are going to win this election,” Biden said in a message to supporters on Wednesday afternoon.
He made similar comments on a Zoom call with campaign and Democratic National Committee staff earlier in the day.
Trump’s approval rating rises in post-debate polls after Biden’s failure
The president also called senior congressional leaders and met with Democratic governors from around the country on Wednesday night.
According to a source familiar with the talks, Biden faced questions about his health, strength and future political viability.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Democratic Governors Association chairs Tim Walz of Minnesota and Wes Moore of Maryland encouraged Biden in comments supporting him.
But Moore added, “We’ve always believed that when you love someone, you should tell them the truth. And I think we came in and we’ve been honest with the feedback we’ve received. We’ve been honest with the concerns we’ve heard from people.”
In two radio interviews aired Thursday morning, Biden acknowledged that he “blundered” and “made mistakes” during the debate.
First Lady Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff watch as President Joe Biden raises Vice President Kamala Harris’ hand from the balcony of the White House in Washington, Thursday, July 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
But hours later, at a Fourth of July celebration at the White House, after guests shouted their support for the president, Biden reiterated, “I’m not going anywhere.”
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Time appears to be running out for Biden to quickly prove his mettle to both his party and voters.
“President Trump has very little time to speak to the American people,” Rep. Debbie Dingell of Michigan told CNN.
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