2024-07-11 19:07:20
Joe Biden, 81, asked Democratic congressmen on Monday to support his campaign re-election for US president or challenge him at the party convention in August, thus ignoring calls for him to throw in the towel.
Biden is under scrutiny this week as he hosts a NATO summit in Washington, fears that isolationist Donald Trump will win the presidential election November, especially since the Democrat’s disastrous performance in a recent televised debate.
Speaking on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” the Democrat said he was “confident” that “the average voter out there still wants Joe Biden” for a second term. The Democrat admitted to being “very frustrated with the elites… of the party”.
“Any of these guys who think I shouldn’t run, let them run against me (…) let them challenge me at the convention” next August, he added.
A defiant Biden also wrote a lengthy letter to Democratic congressmen. “I refuse” to withdraw, he tells them.
“I am firmly determined to stay in the race,” Joe Biden wrote“The issue of how to move forward” has already been addressed “and it is time for the controversy to end,” he says bluntly.
– NATO Summit –
This week promises to be crucial for Biden’s attempt to move past the chaos that followed the debate, during which he appeared confused, stumbling and rambling.
The president blamed it on jet lag and a cold, but In recent days, five Democratic congressmen have publicly asked him to throw in the towel..
On Sunday, four lawmakers said it was time for Biden to step down, according to US media.
Upon their return from a brief recess this week, Democratic lawmakers must decide whether to back the president or ask him to pass the baton.
They will hold an orderly meeting on Tuesday, when the NATO summit will begin, which will also serve as a showcase for analyze Biden’s performanceThe president will attend several meetings and give his first press conference since the debate debacle.
Many European countries fear the return of 78-year-old Trumpwho has repeatedly criticised NATO, has expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin and insisted that he could bring about a quick end to the war in Ukraine.
– “Absolutely critical” –
After a busy day of rallies in the northern state of Pennsylvania on Sunday, Biden has no public events scheduled for Monday, which he is expected to spend preparing for the summit.
First lady Jill Biden is scheduled to campaign in Georgia, Florida and North Carolina in the eastern part of the country.
President Joe Biden resumes campaigning in Michigan on Friday (north) before traveling to his beach home in Rehoboth, Delaware, in the northeast of the country.
“This week is going to be absolutely critical,” Democratic Senator Chris Murphy told CNN on Sunday.
With just four months to go until the election and just over a month until the party convention, time is running out.
There is little room to replace Biden as a candidateand the president and his team seem determined to resist the siege.
2024-07-11 19:07:20