Top Democrats on Sunday firmly dismissed any suggestions to replace President Joe Biden as the party’s nominee for the upcoming election, following a lackluster performance in his recent debate against former President Donald Trump.
Instead, Democratic leaders urged the party to concentrate on the potential repercussions of a second Trump presidency.
In the wake of Biden’s underwhelming debate appearance on Thursday night, which saw him struggle through a series of verbal missteps, there has been increasing chatter within the party about the need for a new candidate for the November 5 election. A CBS poll conducted after the debate revealed a significant shift in sentiment among Democrats, showing that 46% now believe Biden should step aside, up from 36% in February.
Amidst this climate of uncertainty, Biden, at 81 years old, retreated to Camp David on Sunday to regroup with his family. The New York Times reported that Biden’s family is strongly encouraging him to persist in the race, despite some members expressing frustration over the debate preparations.
In response to the growing calls for Biden to withdraw, Democratic leaders have been resolute. Georgia Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock, a potential successor for the nomination, addressed the issue on NBC’s *Meet the Press*, saying, “Absolutely not.” He continued, “Bad debates happen. The question is, ‘Who has Donald Trump ever shown up for other than himself and people like himself?’ I’m with Joe Biden, and it’s our assignment to ensure he gets over the finish line come November.”
Similarly, House of Representatives Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, who could become Speaker of the House if the Democrats gain control in November, framed the situation as an opportunity for a comeback. “So the moment that we’re in is a comeback moment,” Jeffries told MSNBC.
Delaware Senator Chris Coons, a prominent Biden supporter, echoed this sentiment on ABC’s *This Week*, asserting that Biden is “the only Democrat who can beat Donald Trump.”
Despite the unified front from Democratic leaders, there are still some within the party who are considering alternative candidates. Representative Jamie Raskin acknowledged that “frank and serious and rigorous conversations” about the future of the campaign are ongoing. He stated, “Whether he’s the candidate or someone else is the candidate, he’s going to be the keynote speaker at our convention. He will be the figure that we rally around to move forward.”
During the debate, Biden’s performance was characterized by noticeable vocal strain and several verbal gaffes, which some Democrats privately feared might be a disqualifying factor. Trump, for his part, repeated several contentious and false claims, including assertions about a migrant crime wave and the legitimacy of the 2020 election results.
Following the debate, Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, co-chair of the Republican National Committee, expressed satisfaction with Trump’s performance, calling it “probably the best debate of his political career.”
In the wake of these events, Biden headed to Camp David, a retreat that had been scheduled months in advance but now draws added scrutiny due to the timing of the family gathering. Attendees included Biden’s wife, Jill, as well as his children and grandchildren, with the visit also set to feature a family photo shoot.
One of the most vocal advocates for Biden to continue his campaign is his son Hunter, who recently faced legal troubles but is reportedly encouraging his father to persevere. The New York Times noted that Hunter Biden’s own recent conviction for a felony did not diminish his resolve to support his father’s re-election bid.
To consolidate party support, DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison and Biden’s campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez held a call with influential committee members on Saturday. The discussion served both as a motivational session and a strategic planning meeting for the national convention, aiming to galvanize support for Biden’s re-election effort.
