President Biden firmly reiterated on Friday his decision to remain in the presidential race, asserting “I’m the nominee” and “I’m running and going to win again.” Despite his confidence, he mistakenly referred to the election year as 2020, while fellow Democrats expressed concerns about his perceived mental sharpness.
“There’s been a lot of speculation: What’s Joe going to do? Is he going to stay in the race? Is he going to drop out?” the 81-year-old president addressed at the beginning of a 17-minute campaign speech in Madison, Wis. “Here’s my answer: I’m running and going to win again.”
“I’m the nominee of the Democratic Party,” Biden declared to hundreds of supporters in a middle school gym. “You voted for me to be your nominee — no one else. Some folks don’t seem to care who you voted for. Guess what? They are trying to push me out of the race. Let me say this as clearly as I can: I’m staying in the race.”
“I will beat Donald Trump,” Biden proclaimed. “I will beat him again in 2020.” He then corrected himself a few seconds later, “By the way, we’re going to do it again in 2024.”
Not all attendees seemed convinced, with one holding a sign over Biden’s shoulder reading: “PASS THE TORCH JOE.” Outside, Biden’s motorcade passed by locals with signs saying “Save your legacy drop out,” “Be a hero one more time,” “I heart you Joe, Bow out,” and “Give it up, Joe.” Another sign read, “Pres Biden- serve your country — not your ego… exit now.”
Unperturbed, Biden told reporters on the tarmac as he departed Wisconsin for Delaware that he had no intention of stepping aside. “I’m completely ruling that out,” Biden said about dropping out after his confused performance in the CNN debate last Thursday, which led to a surge of Democratic calls for a new candidate.
When asked why he believed he was the best candidate to defeat Trump, Biden reiterated, “I did it before.” When a reporter pointed out that it happened four years ago, Biden retorted, “You’ve been wrong about everything.”
Biden also confirmed, “I’m committing now, absolutely,” to debating Trump, 78, at the second and final scheduled forum of the 2024 campaign, which will be hosted by ABC News on September 10.
If Biden completes a full second term, he would be 86 years old. He has privately acknowledged that he might need to drop out within the next month if he cannot regain his footing. However, many Democrats fear that Vice President Kamala Harris would perform even worse against Trump, leading to intense speculation about possible alternatives.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, is organizing a letter urging Biden to drop his bid for a second term, according to the Washington Post. Biden dismissed Warner’s efforts, saying “he’s the only one” who wants the president to step aside.
However, three House Democrats — Lloyd Doggett of Texas, Raul Grijalva of Arizona, and Seth Moulton of Massachusetts — have already called for Biden to retire. Others, including Reps. Jared Golden of Maine and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, have publicly stated they expect him to lose to Trump.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey nearly urged Biden to step down in a Friday statement, saying, “I urge him to listen to the American people and carefully evaluate whether he remains our best hope to defeat Donald Trump.” Healey, 53, was among 10 Democratic governors who visited the White House on Wednesday to meet with Biden, only three of whom spoke on the White House driveway afterward to support the incumbent.
“Maura Healey didn’t say anything when I was in the room, OK?” Biden responded.
Wisconsin Republicans seized the opportunity to criticize Biden ahead of his speech, with state GOP Chairman Brian Schimming telling reporters, “This may be Joe Biden’s last appearance in Madison and Wisconsin as a candidate with the mess they have going on.”
Biden delivered his speech on Friday with vigor and relative clarity, using teleprompters, and shortly afterward, he sat for his first TV interview since the June 27 debate with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos.
{CB Frommer – Matzav.com}