Emmanuel Ochayi
Biden’s Firm Stance on 2024 Election Bid
President Joe Biden opened his highly anticipated press conference Thursday with a forceful defense of his foreign and domestic policies. He also batted away questions about his ability to serve another four years.
“I’m not in this for my legacy. I’m in this to complete the job I started,” Biden said. He insisted his support among the electorate was strong and that he would stay in the race and win.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelDemocratic Concerns and Biden’s Response
Democrats face a dilemma. Top donors, supporters, and key lawmakers doubt Biden’s abilities to carry on his reelection bid after his poor performance in the June 27 debate. However, the 81-year-old president refuses to give up as he prepares to take on Donald Trump in a rematch.
As of Thursday evening, a dozen House Democrats had called for him to exit the race. The press conference was an effort to show he’s ready for another four years. Voters are watching, and elected officials are deciding whether to press for another choice.
“Today, Kyiv still stands and NATO stands stronger than it has ever been,” Biden said, stressing the alliance’s support for Ukraine.
Campaign Strategy and Internal Polling
Earlier, his campaign laid out its path to keeping the White House in a new memo. It stated that winning the “blue wall” states of Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan is the “clearest pathway” to victory. The memo also declared that no other Democrat would do better against Trump.
READ ALSO: Managing Political Crisis: How Is Joe Biden Doing?
“There is also no indication that anyone else would outperform the president vs. Trump,” said the memo from campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon and campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez, obtained by The Associated Press.
The memo sought to dismiss “hypothetical polling of alternative nominees” as unreliable. It said such surveys “do not take into account the negative media environment that any Democratic nominee will encounter.”
Internal Discussions on Vice President Harris
The campaign has been quietly surveying voters on Vice President Kamala Harris to determine how she’s viewed among the electorate. This came after Trump stepped up his attacks against Harris following the debate.
The polling was not necessarily to show that she could be the nominee in Biden’s place but to better understand her public perception.
Addressing Concerns and Public Confidence
While Biden has expressed confidence in his chances, his campaign on Thursday acknowledged he is behind. A growing number of the president’s aides in the White House and the campaign privately harbour doubts that he can turn things around.
They are taking their cues from Biden, expressing that he is committed unless he isn’t. There appears to be no organised internal effort to persuade the president to step aside. His allies were aware there would be more calls for him to step down and were prepared for it.
Biden’s Gaffe and Reassurance
In announcing a compact that would bring NATO countries together to support Ukraine, Biden referred to the nation’s leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “President Putin” to audible gasps in the room. He quickly corrected himself: “President Putin – he’s going to beat President Putin … President Zelenskyy,” Biden said. He then added, “I’m so focused on beating Putin,” to explain the gaffe.
“I’m better,” Zelenskyy replied. “You’re a hell of a lot better,” Biden said back.
Senate Democrats’ Reactions
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer invited Biden’s team to meet with senators privately to discuss concerns and the path forward. Some senators preferred to hear directly from the president. So far, only Peter Welch of Vermont has called for Biden to step out of the race.
The 90-minute conversation with the president’s team, which included no new data, polling, or game plan on how Biden would beat Trump, did not appear to change senators’ minds.
Future Plans and Party Unity
Senator Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent, said he thinks Biden “is going to win this election. I think he has a chance to win it big.”
Sanders has been publicly critical of the campaign. He said Biden needs to talk more about the future and his plans for the country. “As we come closer to Election Day, the choices are very clear,” he said.
